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Horses, War, and Military
Peter Padley | HMForces.co.uk
There are approximately 500 warhorses serving in the British Army. They are predominantly used for ceremonial purposes with the majority of them serving in the following units:
• Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR).
• Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Warhorses are used on Royal and State occasions including the provision of the Sovereigns Escort for the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade. There is a requirement for both units to maintain a high standard of turnout and uniformity therefore the criteria for the selection of horses is necessarily strict to ensure that uniformity of colour and height are maintained.
With the exception of the grey State Trumpeters mounts of the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry all horses used by the HCMR and Kings Troop are predominantly black Irish Cross Draft horses, known as “Cavalry Blacks”. Horses are purchased at buying commissions which are attended by the HCMR Riding Master, Regimental Veterinary Officers of both the HCMR and Kings Troop and members of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. The “Cavalry Blacks” have to measure over 16 hands with the greys being at least 15.2 hands and will be between 3 and 4 years of age when purchased.
It takes between 8 and 10 months, depending on the temperament of the horse, to train it to the standard required to take part in ceremonial parades. On completion of their training the horses will be capable of standing still for long periods and have a high tolerance to noise, traffic and flashing lights.
The one horse that is unique is the Drum Horse of the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry. Selected Drum Horses, normally Clydesdale Crosses, will measure a minimum of 16.3 hands and on average weigh approximately 800 Kg. They must be strong, well developed and have a good temperament. The strength of the horse is all important as it will have to carry two silver kettle drums, weighing 90 lbs (41 Kg) and drummer in full ceremonial dress uniform weighing approximately 200 lbs (90 Kg) for long periods when on parade. The training of a Drum Horse can take up to 2 years and there are normally one or two horses in training as potential replacements for either of the two horses in current service.
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