Facts About Clydesdales

According to animal-world.com, the Clydesdale is a classic representation of a draft horse, which is a horse used for farming, and to pull heavy loads. They are also known as heavy horses, which were the horses bred to carry knights in armor. The Clydesdale breed began in the 1700s, but were in North American by the late 1800s. They are best known as a symbol of the Budweiser corporation.

  1. The Breed

    • Adult Clydesdales weigh from 1,600 to 2,200 lbs and stand between 16 and 18 hands high from the ground to its withers. A hand is equal to 4 inches. A newborn foal weighs between 125 to 150 lbs. A Clydesdale will reach is full height by the age of 3 or 4.

    Clydesdale Background

    • The Clydesdale breed began in Lanarkshire Scotland near Glasgow. They were the foals of black Flemish stallions from England and smaller Scottish mares. They were bred to pull the coal wagons near the coalfields in Glasgow. The farmers named them Clydesdales because Lanarkshire is in the valley, or dale, of the Clyde River.

    Description

    • Clydesdales have longer legs than most draft horses, and the lower legs are covered in long silky hair called feather. The feather trails over the Clydesdale's hooves, which are as large as dinner plates. Their most common color is a reddish brown, while the mane and tail are black. They also come in brown, black, and chestnut. Clydesdales also have a white strip on their faces called blaze. They can walk with a high-stepping trot, which has made them popular as show horses.

    Show Business

    • Clydesdales were in danger of fading out in the 1930s. With the rise of tractors and cars, they were no longer needed as working horses. About 30 years passed before interest in breeding them picked up again, but this time as show horses. They never completely vanished from public view due to the Budweiser company. The original Budweiser Clydesdales were gifts from August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch to their father in 1933. As of 2011, the company still used "hitches" of Clydesdales as part of its promotions. Budweiser Clydesdales have been used in two Presidential inaugurations and are seen regularly in television commercials.