![]() ![]() They are still used by the Queen of England today. Drum Horses must be strong enough to carry the heavy kettledrums and the drummer and also remain calm and quiet in large crowds during ceremonies and parades. These horses carry two large kettle Drums, plus a fully outfitted rider, through huge crowds while being controlled only by the reins attached to the rider's feet so their hands are free to play the drums. Historically the Drum Horse was used to carry the drums in the Queen of England's various regimental bands and processions and were named after the "job" they performed. Currently there is one registry in America that registers the Shire, the American Shire Horse Association. It is on the "critical" list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and is considered "at risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in Great Britain, its native country. The Shire is a rare breed of horse, with an estimated fewer than 2,000 animals in the worldwide population. They are forward moving with both knee and hock action. Very strong horses, they were used to work the land for agriculture in several parts of our country, but the versatile Shire is proving to be an excellent athlete and excels in a variety of disciplines, including Dressage, Jumping, English/Western Pleasure, Driving, and given their calm, easy-going nature make great Trail horses. These magnificant animals have a gentle, kind, and docile disposition. ![]() The average Shire weighs 1 ton and is capable of pulling a 5 ton load. The Shire is an extremely strong, large-barrelled horse with long legs and great amounts of hair and feather on the lower legs, resembling the well-known Clydesdale horse. It stands between 16.2 hands and 19 hands, with the average being 17.1 hands and may be black, brown, bay, grey, or chestnut (rare) in color. They are a descendant of the "Old English Black Horse" whose ancestors were the great horses of the medieval era. ![]() The Shire is one of the largest horses in the world and originated in the "Shires" of England. This rare and exotic breed is now excelling in nearly all riding disciplines and make wonderful all around family horses. Currently there are four registries in America that register the Gypsy Horse, The Gypsy Cob & Drum Horse Association, The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, The Gypsy Horse Registry of America, and The Gypsy Horse Association. They come in nearly all colors and most have pinto markings. Gypsy Horses are known for their incredible amounts of hair with long flowing manes, tails that drag the ground and an abundance of silky feather. They exhibit an intelligent, docile, and kind disposition. They are stocky and short backed, with a short muscular neck, sweet head and kind eye. The Gypsy Horse is built like a small draft horse, usually standing between 13 and 15 hands, with average size being 14.1hh. These hardy horses were bred to be strong, docile, and hard working, surviving only on weeds and grasses growing alongside the roads that they traveled. Many believe the Gypsy Horse sprung from crossings of native Dale or Fell ponies as well as the heavier draft breeds of Shire and Clydesdale. For nearly 100 years the Gypsies have bred and used these colorful horses to pull their ornate caravans and carts. They are also called Irish Cobs, Tinker Horses, and Romany Horse. ![]() The Gyspy Horse known in America as the Gypsy Vanner or the Gypsy Cob was developed by the Gypsies or Romany folk of England and Ireland. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |