The piebald drumhorse was brought into the regiment c1890 after the regiment returned from India. These drum banners and shabraque were first worn at this time and have the VR cypher in the garter with guelphic crown on the hind corners, and on the drum banner a Victorian crown on the Royal Arms. These remained the same in the 20th century; the only alterations being the addition of battle honours. This illustration by F W Scott depicts the original banners, having the honours for WATERLOO, SEVASTOPOL, TAKU FORTS, PEKIN, and SOUTH AFRICA 1879, as well as the retrospective 18th century honours which were granted in 1882: BLENHEIM, RAMILLIES, MALPLAQUET, OUDENARDE and DETTINGEN. This meant that five battle honours were shown on each side of the Royal Arms.
The bridle was embellished with an upright red horsehair brush on the headband, to go with the red throat plume. Stirrup reins were added to give the drummer better control of the horse. Scott has dated the illustration as 1906 but this piebald was transferred to the 11th Hussars in 1904, and exchanged for a grey.
