History of Clydesdales

Size

• The Clydesdale is most recognizable by its size and tufts of fur around its hooves. The Clydesdale stands, on average, at about 18 hands or 6 feet tall. An adult Clydesdale can weigh more than 2,000 pounds.

History

• The Clydesdale is believed to have originally been bred in the mid-18th century using English and Flemish mares. Used primarily in Scotland and England, they were eventually exported to English colonies in Australia and New Zealand. They were brought to North America sometime in the mid-1800s and were eventually seen throughout Europe, including Russia and Italy. They are even used as far south as South America, although a principal feature of the Clydesdale is its superior resistance to cold weather.

  By the end of World War II and the Industrial Revolution, Clydesdales had been almost completely replaced by machinery. While used primarily for pulling carts and wagons, they have also been used as war horses. Their enormous size makes them powerful creatures and their thick hides provide excellent protection against cold weather.

  Despite their size, Clydesdales are also known for being extremely graceful. Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly so captivated upon seeing one draw a milk cart that she began using the breed in ceremonies and processions. She used the Clydesdale to tow a 90-pound silver drum in parades and thus elevated the Clydesdale from being merely a work horse to being a show horse as well.

Color

• Clydesdale horses may be a variety of tones of brown or black. Usually their coats will be one solid color, although they will often have white manes or underbellies. The "feather," or tuft of hair around the hoof, will usually match the mane.

  A Clydesdale with a white muzzle will usually have black spots around its mouth and white across its face. Another prominent feature of the Clydesdale is black and white striped hooves.

Facts

• An adult Clydesdale can consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grain, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day. The average Clydesdale can pull a load of more than 1 ton at an average walking speed of 5 mph.

  In 1975, the population of the Clydesdale dropped to about 80 animals and was put on the "vulnerable" list for endangered species. As of 2007, the population was estimated at well more than 5,000.

  Today, Clydesdale horses are used primarily for horse shows and historical agriculture reenactments.

Modern Applications

• While the Clydesdale has been replaced by tractors and machinery, the breed is still used today on some farms and in advertising. The impressive size, grace and prominent tufts around the ankles make this breed particularly impressive to watch.

  Perhaps the most notable use of the Clydesdale in advertising is in the advertisements for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company. The Clydesdale became the mascot for Anheuser-Busch when, in April 1933, August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised August A. Busch, Sr. with a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the end of Prohibition.