Needing horse equipment in extra large, the Household Cavalry Regiment's latest recruit stands at a massive 19hh.

Loaned from the World Horse Welfare, Digger is set for a career as a potential drum horse at the Household Cavalry's Knightsbridge barracks where he will embark on a two-year training programme.

The seven-year-old gelding weighs 802kg and was sent to the charity's Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire in 2008 when his owner could no longer afford the huge feed bill and extra large horse tack needed to care for him.

Corporal of Horse Jamie Broom of the Blues and Royals said of their latest acquisition, "The training is tough and asks a lot of the horse – not every potential drum horse successfully passes training."

As well as the heavy weight they are expected to carry, the horses also have to get used to noise, flashing lights, loud drums and the public while being ridden with foot reins.

Currently the regiment has two drum horses in service – Spartacus and Achilles with Agamemnon and Celt as trainees.

Belwade centre manager Eileen Gillen said, "I always had high hopes for him, but never dreamt he'd have a royal calling."

Provided that Digger proves himself capable of the rigours of life in the Household Cavalry and the massive horse equipment and drums that he'll have to carry, he'll be rewarded with a more befitting title for his important role.