A horse rehabilitated by World Horse Welfare is off to a very special new home after being selected as a potential drum horse by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, H&C is pleased to learn.

Digger is the biggest horse that the charity has ever cared for. Standing at an impressive 19hh, and nine feet from the ground to the tip of his ears, and weighing almost a tonne, it is easy to see why this gentle giant caught the Household Cavalry’s eye. Eileen Gillen, Centre Manager at World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire has been caring for Digger since he arrived in early 2008, she says:

“When Digger first arrived I was shocked as I had never seen a horse so big! His enormous size and the fact that he was only young and still growing were causing problems with the joints in his hind legs. It took surgery at the Royal Dick Veterinary Hospital in Edinburgh and many months of rehabilitation before he was well enough to start work. I always had high hopes for him but never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d have a Royal calling!”

Digger will leave his Aberdeenshire home on Wednesday 31st March and travel down to the Knightsbridge barracks in an extra large horse box, stopping en route at Melton Mowbray for a rest. Once settled into his new home, Digger will begin a two year training programme to see if he has what it takes to be a drum horse. If successful Digger will lead the Household Cavalry band on all ceremonial and state occasions carrying a rider and two solid silver drums.

“We will certainly miss having him around,” continues Eileen “but I could not be prouder of him or my staff, who have worked so hard to get him to this stage. He is a fantastic example of the work that World Horse Welfare does to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses.”