Meet The Household Cavalry's New Drum Horse! 🐎

The Household Cavalry has a new recruit.
Willa Rose is a Welsh Shire Horse who the Regiment is training to be its new Drum Horse.
Rosie Laydon went to Pembrokeshire to meet Willa Rose, as she said goodbye to the family farm and set off on a new career in the Army.
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[@kah10161]

She is now Juno of the Household Cavalry!!!

[@jenniferlawrence2988]

Years later we know and love her as Major Juno! ❤️💕❤️🥰

[@elouise8370]

“This is .. the largest mammal that’s walked these islands since the ice age and I think it’s beholden of me and other hardcore shire horse breeders and owners of this nation to keep this horse .. because this country would not be the country it is today but for the shire horse”. Brilliant statement from the breeder.

[@melindariddle6042]

Bless you for your dedication to these beautiful animals. Me & my 16 hand paint horse admire you

[@dianamarquez4774]

What a lucky owner to have lived on land for seven generations. Very lucky indeed and to have such lovely horses.

[@vonniescrafts1]

I miss living in the country and I miss my horses 😢

[@richardtheeighth4431]

I'm glad Willa Rose got recruited, instead of being "drafted." I'm wishing her happiness, success and honourable career in the Forces during her "haydays" in the Household Cavalry.🇬🇧🐴

[@eugene7145]

Please get out.

[@amberslagle5436]

🥁

[@itsme1585]

She will live a life in concrete city living alone as you’ve just heard explained

[@Ainzleeriddell]

@@eugene7145 😹

[@doonewatts7155]

I'm not horse mad by any means but my dad took us to a shire horse farm as children. I was absolutely blown away! It is impossible to describe how incredible they are

[@mosh4493]

I had the grand honour of meeting this beautiful horse before she joined the cavalry it was actually the day before she was sent of for her medical examination she was amazing and I am glad that she has succeed

[@charlottecunningham2141]

Wonder if the owners and those that worked with cried when she left the farm? She’s gorgeous

[@pandyjohnson8980]

She has a gentle spirit by looking at her eyes

[@jennysambrook3528]

I hope she has been successful in her training. The Cavalry horses are beautiful creatures. . I can understand that she has to have an official name but Willa Rose is a lovely name for a beautiful mare. I wish her luck and a happy life.

[@Paladin1873]

I had the honor of dining one evening with the Brigadier and staff of the Household Calvary while they were deployed under field conditions in Egypt during exercise BRIGHT STAR 98. I tip my hat to the British Army, perhaps the world's most experienced campaigners. They know how to go to war in style. What they took afield would baffle any American expeditionary planner.

[@kcody5646]

Were you talking about your experience as an American expeditionary planner, what was the purpose of that? When were you involved in it?

[@Paladin1873]

@@kcody5646 Not in this particular situation. I was running the Combined Movement Control Center, serving as chief ground transportation officer for all personnel and equipment movement within Egypt during the exercise.

[@davegavin7914]

What an honour for London to have her and wales for letting her go thank you ! God bless our country .🙏🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👏

[@annbeirne9583]

Having watched videos on how well the cavalry treat their horses she is going to a good place, I hope Willa Rose will become a drum horse. Shires the gentle giants are intelligent and learn quickly. Shires are one of my favourite breeds, it makes me really happy that people are still breeding them it would be a real shame to see them become nearly extinct again. 😪Have a happy new life Willa Rose💖

[@joehayward2631]

My dad was a real cowboy when growing up. He like to talk about his teams of SHIRES that did so much work on the ranch. The family made extra money pulling logs off the mountains using the shires. He had a few cow horses. Its crazy think back in his day wagons were pulled by horses, rode your horse to school. The first car was for church and when his mom did not want to hide her horse to town. This is 30s 40s Utah USA.

[@mayageorge1847]

Such a beauty! Please consider Artemis, the archer and protector for a name.

[@TheKira699]

I was thinking Artemis myself. Goddess of the Hunt.

[@enkisdaughter4795]

Or Hera, queen of the gods

[@bl00dhoney]

​@@enkisdaughter4795 very close!! She was named Juno, same goddess, different name

[@sumperson6246]

Good luck Willa Rose I hope you have a long and prosperous career. 🇬🇧

[@biddiemutter3481]

I hope the military consider using rubber bits because although at the walk, the damage is reduced, iron bits injure months.

[@tombchaser]

they look a bit like our Dutch Friesian horse and the Belgian Black horse. edit: found out on wiki that both breeds had a influence on the shire horse around the 16th century

[@sheilawhite8314]

i remember so long ago my great aunty had 2 shire horses kip and Captain even ran down the road we had to go after them it was great fun

[@Drewski588]

God Bless the horsemen! God Bless the Horse!

[@maryclynch9356]

I love her !!!! Love it ! Sh'll make us so proud !

[@wenglishsal]

Is Willa-Rose now called JUNO?? If so she was magnificent at the 1st Trooping the Colour of King Charles' reign.. What a wonderful mare.. Best wishes from Wales.

[@mayajrj]

What a lovely horse. And good luck with her new career. There is a move to get more people to breed Shires as they are on the 'at risk' list.

[@EvidensInsania]

Shire horses are a lot more endangered than many other animals that hog the "at risk" spotlight like polar bears which are actually seeing record high numbers despite the lying media and climate alarmists telling us they're all dying.

[@mayajrj]

@@EvidensInsania Prerhaps the Queen or the Army could start breeding them the way H.M. did the Cleveland bays

[@annefinlayson6021]

What a beautiful, gentle giant she is and I hope she was successful as part of the Household Cavalry. ❤

[@mehitabel1290]

Would love an update!

[@chelsytuplin8036]

Wow that is amazing well done Willow Rose. I am guessing her new name would be named Athena because she the Goddess of wisdom. And Willow Rose seem very wise

[@vivienmartin9661]

Or Buddug (Welsh) / Boudicea (Latin)

[@chelsytuplin8036]

Boudicea sounds pretty

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

Any chance of an update on her progress & new name, please?

[@Ainzleeriddell]

Juno…

[@123canadagirl]

Willa Rose is a beautiful horse

[@kireesah1]

She is amazing. Such a loveley mare. Good going Willa. Such a beautiful mare. Shire horse are very precious.

[@richardharrold4357]

Outstanding video. Thank you for sharing.

[@ladyjustice1474]

She's pretty, I love her gate. Looks like the one with the treats has a soft spot for willow rose.

[@irmadeconinck104]

Such a beautifull four legged gentle giant sweetheart ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@suzannekate22]

I feel sorry for the poor thing, leaving beautiful west wales and freedom in the fields, to smelly London living in a stall

[@lisainger6751]

If Willa belonged to me , I would never get rid of her.

[@Ainzleeriddell]

You don’t say no to the Queen!

[@catzkeet4860]

Well she doesn't and no one asked you.

[@anniepadilla3627]

What a beauty Willa Rose. A lovely Lady. Good luck. You surely are going to be loved💕💕💕

[@MadMatt13]

At least they don't let the public vote for a name. The poor girl would probably end up being renamed Horsey McHorseFace :-s

[@oisinmtom]

Or tesco

[@princessmoonwalker]

If it was a vote, surely they would choose from a set of options approved by the queen?

[@tuscanlab]

@@oisinmtom 😂😂😅

[@ginnyalan]

Good luck Willow Rose, you will well looked after and loved

[@ginnyalan]

Sorry Willa Rose.

[@jordanleigh8119]

I'd say lady of mercia. Alfred the greats duaghter. Theres no doubt she was part of the foundations England was built on

[@jordanleigh8119]

@@irenejohnston6802 indeed

[@lewissmith3896]

Gorgeous.

[@deejayk5939]

Absolutely beautiful, love draft horses!

[@rachelraja1032]

yes! another girl drummer! well kind of🥁❤

[@bethwatts5527]

What a beautiful horse. I love her name too.

[@user-vd8dj5zt8q]

❤❤❤❤ What a beautiful horse

[@sandydog7449]

Beautiful horse ❤

[@debrabolton9372]

She is lovely! I love shire horses.

[@Flufficat]

That's a huge change for a family farm horse. I hope she loves her new life.

[@sheilawhite8314]

my mums family many years ago 60s Auntie Genie had a farm up north she had shire horses Kip and Captain that got out we had to run down the road lol to get them back. they also had pigs that were having babies we look over the door and the boor didn't like it lol this was all back in the 60s lol but I still remember

[@katerinakemp5701]

Aphrodite would suit her, beautiful statuesque lady.

[@danielledodge156]

My grandfather had a drum horse named Gendarme my grandfathers name was Alex Tassell in melb Australia

[@elizabethsearl3037]

Congratulations.

[@melodyhart1331]

I laughed a little when the officer said not Boudicia !

[@carolpountney7627]

A lovely story….wonder if she made it!❤

[@ericbeaumont7939]

A beautiful mare

[@veronicawilliams7427]

I love these heavy horses. In the early 1960's where I live in Lancashire, we had sever hugelorses,, they lived on local farms bit also delivered milk, coal amongst other things What made me laugh a lot, was one of them was named Tommy who delivered the milk each day to the area I lived in. and would the beggar move until he got a crust of bread, not on your life would he, our Coal=msn also had another of these gentle giants, and invariably the Coalman could be heard shouting to the them man "Hat's oaf lads, because no way would that horse let them take the bags of coal of his truck if thy still had their hats on Thank you for letting me see fabulous wonder horses. By the way When Differ outgrew his size an dhad to retire because it was causing health problems I put a Standing Order in place for him on a monthly basis. I was devastated when he passed away.

[@lindawitherington9010]

Beautiful animal

[@jayneterry8701]

7th generation wow! How often can one even say that in a continued setting. Shes a beautiful horse 🐴. Amd by the other comments her Majesty has named her.

[@elisabethj.v.beardsell9853]

Gone to a good home❤

[@robstafford8306]

Brilliant story. Bit late to the party but this is a great Welsh/British story.

[@jayjohnson8426]

Saw junoaka willow rose on london city walks channel on you tube when they did the bhind the scenes at the Elizabeth cup along with Percious

[@Eniran02]

Hope she will be happy

[@lindsaydrewe8219]

I love this one, just out of interest, did the lovely mare pass her training? And what is her new name?❤❤ I’m very fond of your military horse and dog films❤❤

[@rubytroy7756]

Fabulous ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@CelineLalla]

She is so beautiful 😍

[@jeanhawken4482]

Magnificent mare

[@here_we_go_again2571]

She's quite a nice horse! Wishing her the best .... The horse guards and their mounts are a first-rate group! Forces News, thank you for sharing.

[@catlee8064]

Many years ago, my regiment "got hold of" the SDGs drum horse....took it to a bar and got it drunk on basins of german beer....they were not impressed.

[@user-qz1fy7kx1n]

I hope the sound of the drums doesn’t injure or hurt any drum horse’s ears!!!

[@leandabee]

I know it's a few years ago, but would love to know how Willow went. Did she keep her job? Did she end up being suitable? 🤔🤗🤗

[@Ainzleeriddell]

She is now Juno…

[@janetwilkins5460]

Clydesdale are so beautiful. My favourite.

[@Ainzleeriddell]

It’s a Shire, the owner said…

[@manjimbo9830]

At what age do horses train?Doesnt an eight year old horses seem to be to old to be trained for military purposes?

[@crabmansteve6844]

Horses live a considerable length of time. And "military purposes" is a little misleading, she's a parade and ceremony horse.

[@princessmoonwalker]

Yeah horses can live to be about 30.

[@lisatyler4521]

How can I contact this drum horse breeder

[@donnarogers7732]

What did her Majesty change Willow Rose's name to? Thank you for an answer.

[@TheHandymanQld]

Did she meet Her Majesty?

[@rsoubiea]

Aww her name is great don’t change it.

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

I wonder what the late Queen named her!

[@Ainzleeriddell]

Juno

[@genk3794]

She has been renamed Juno 🙂

[@cztober3085]

She is beautiful!

[@sandrabain8481]

Never heard of a drum horse before

[@judyc9380]

What a proud moment. Well done!

[@thegoblinsteed3558]

Perseus should be her name. 💜💜💜

[@TheKira699]

Perseus is taken and that is a male demi god son of Zeus.

[@garden2356]

I'm sad that the horse can't live and run free in the countryside with her horse friends

[@juliamaplesden1317]

Beautiful girl...Jxx ⚘🇬🇧👑💐💜🌺

[@spudpatch55]

Goodness me my Dads name is Joe & his initials are JR 😇🙏

[@emmsue1053]

Two years ago, wonder how she is doing?

[@jeffpotipco736]

From the knackers ýàrd

[@janviljoen7001]

Will they breed her?

[@kirstinetermansen3227]

Is she home 🏠 again

[@berwynirwin7055]

She is beautiful

[@jayjohnson8426]

What happens if they fail training

[@LadyTarasque]

Aww.. sad to hear shire horses are on decline. They're magnificent o:

[@normacotter3377]

What a beautiful lady!

[@jodie4609]

My vote is Miss Elizabeth

[@peabody634]

Poor horses having to endure those loud drums!

[@sued616]

She,s beautiful

[@8ballphil150]

Diolch Huw

[@petersumner7367]

What's her name now?

[@Ainzleeriddell]

Juno

[@patriciaulto6605]

Willow Rose is so a beautyful name ,better than Juno

[@highridgemom7899]

I feel so sad for Willa Rose. She's being robbed of a quiet and peaceful life on the farm. Fame comes with a price to pay. In the video clip, we see Her Majesty with Perseus, her drum horse. His mouth is constantly opening and closing. Why? Because of the painful bit in it's mouth. I hope that the next time we see Willa Rose or "Juno" which is the new name given by Queen Camilla she hasn't been abused in her training by the household cavalry. The King and the Royal Guard should be educated in the humane treatment of horses. The pageantry is beautiful but the dressing on the horses needs modification. The bits in their mouths are extremely painful. Just some available information: "While bits offer several advantages to the rider, the same cannot be said about the horse. Dr. Robert Cook, a professor at Tufts University in Massachusetts, identified over 200 negative behaviors and 40 diseases that can result from wearing a bit. Studies have shown that bits can interfere with the horse’s breathing by triggering an “eating response”. "Bits naturally encourage the horse to salivate, chew and swallow as they constantly move in the mouth. According to Dr. Cook, the throat prepares for swallowing by narrowing the air channel and widening the food channel. This restricts the amount of air that can reach the lungs, which impairs breathing. Through excessive jarring of the bit against the jawbone, the trigeminal nerve can become oversensitive and cause headshaking, bucking, bolting, napping, rearing, and excess salivation." Just watch the video of Trooping the Color parade and focus on the horses that are shaking and bobbing their heads. It's sad. There are many advantages to riding a horse bitless. Without the pressure of a metal piece in their mouth, horses are generally more relaxed and willing to work. Riders have also reported more expressive movement as a result of freeing the horse from the restrictions of the bit."

[@TheKira699]

How long does it take for a Cavalry Drum Horse to go deaf?

[@luadraponies]

Maybe earplugs are used, people have used them for years at shows.

[@TheKira699]

@@luadraponies True they can wear hearing protection, but some older Drum Horses do go deaf anyway.

[@biddiemutter3481]

@@luadraponies, I hope that they have protection.

[@LorenIpsem]

What?

[@peabody634]

Poor horse!

[@willowvc1910]

She should be in a field enjoying her freedom

[@carolzippel5021]

They are work horses by nature.

[@katerinakemp5701]

If she was in the field, she would be pulling ploughs, pulling drays full of hay, and any other farm work that is required. Yep she wouldn't be standing in a field looking pretty use your head. These are work horses not a cutesy pet.

[@carolzippel5021]

@@katerinakemp5701 If all she did was look pretty in the field she wouldn’t be very healthy either. They are bred to be worked.

[@larrybrown6068]

Horses that are left in fields with nothing to do get bored and there is not much more dangerous than a bored horse.