Equestrian Network Magazine

Clydesdale

by M. Y. Mim

From down on the ground, from up in the saddle, from nose to nose or foot to foot, there's no doubt about it: The Clydesdale is a big 'un.

A lovely example of the Clydesdale breed.

Mature Clydesdales weigh between 1600 and 2400 pounds, as much as a Volkswagen Beetle. They can grow to 19 hands tall �C that's six feet from ground to withers. Then the huge head makes them loom ever higher The size of their feet marks one of their best-known features, with one horseshoe about the size of a dinner plate. Compare the

Clydesdale foot to a Thoroughbred's, and you'll realize the race horse has a shoe about half of that of the Clydesdale's.

Big horses eat large amounts of food. Depending on their age and the amount of work they might be doing, an adult Clydesdale may eat 25 to 50 pounds of hay and two to 10 pounds of grain or other supplements every day.

A typical Clydesdale hitch.

A newborn foal can weigh 110-180 pounds, while its broodmare may produce 100 pounds of milk daily. The not-so-little foal may gain up to four pounds a day for the first few months
of life.

The purpose of all this heft lies in the Clydesdale's enormous strength. When pulling a wagon, a Clydesdale can pull many times more than its own weight.

Heavy horses originally developed for use in warfare to carry armor-clad knights into battle. Scottish farmers later

began using some of the larger English and Flemish stallions on the smaller local mares. They eventually produced a powerful horse with a long stride and a sizable hoof, perfect for working in the soft soils of the rough Scottish farm land.

Farmers refined one of the heavy draft* breeds to produce the Clydesdale in the early nineteenth century in the Lanarkshire (previously Clydesdale) district of Scotland, through which the River Clyde flows. Breeding provided a strong horse to meet not only the agricultural needs of the local farmers, but also the demands of commerce for the coalfields of Lanarkshire and for all the types of heavy haulage on the streets of Glasgow.

Three words - " strength, agility and docility" - describe the main characteristics of the Clydesdale. This thoroughly well-built horse creates the accurate impression of strength and activity, with a minimum of

Six Clydesdales in a hitch.

superfluous tissue. The idea is not grossness and bulk, but quality and weight. The horse must also exhibit action, lifting the foot high, and taking a long stride to cover ground rapidly and easily. Intelligence and willingness make the Clydesdale a welcome partner at work or play.

Most of us recognize Clydesdales because of their association with the Anheuser-Busch Company which owns the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables. Some 35 Clydesdale mares, stallions and foals live at the stables. Annheuser-Busch also owns approximately 250 "Budweiser" horses nationwide, thus owning one of the world's largest herds of Clydesdales.

Clydesdales at Castle Kennedy.

Only the finest Clydesdales become part of the Budweiser teams. The strict physical requirements call for

* Bay in color, a blaze of white on its face, a black mane and black tail;

* Most important, white feathering on all four legs and feet;

* All hitch horses are geldings, characterized by their even temperament and stronger, more natural draft horse appearance.

Clydesdales handle easily, right from birth. Although they are immensely powerful, they will not use their strength against humans. Bred to work, they are eager, indeed willing, to please and highly intelligent These horses move with remarkable fluidity covering the ground in a stylish fashion when driven or ridden - they most definitely do not "plod." They are not a plain horse either: The head of a true Clydesdale should shout quality and be attractive and not roman nosed or utilitarian, and they always have a kind eye.

Driving competition at Castle Kennedy.

The Clydesdale horse, so utterly synonymous with the phrase "Horse Power," and because of the Clydesdale's versatility, we now see the breed used in a variety of equine activities. In these more eco-friendly and aware times, horses are being used again in environmentally sensitive areas for extracting timber or for carrying out haulage. Increasingly popular as a pleasure horse, we see Clydesdales playing an ever expanding role in the field of recreation. Popular with carriage services, the Clydesdale is well suited for the job and always attracts public

Mother and foal.

admiration. Some are also used in the wedding industry for conveying brides to church - the photos look so grand! Street parades are not complete without the high stepping hooves of a Clydesdale hitch passing by. Under saddle, the Clydesdale excels in many pursuits including dressage, hunter jumper, as a trail horse (they make exceptional trail horses due to their calm disposition and endurance), and for
therapeutic riding.

* Pronounced "draft" but spelled "draught" in the U.K., the word derives from Middle English, meaning to draw.

SOURCES AND FOR MORE INFORMATION:

CLYDESDALE BREEDERS OF THE U.S.A.
17346 Kelley Rd.: Pecatonica, IL. 61063
Phone: 815-247-8780 or Fax: 815-247-8337
The Clydesdale Breeders of the U. S. A. is a very active organization with many planned activities and events. A National Clydesdale Show along with certain Regional Shows throughout the country are held each year. Along with these events a National Clydesdale Sale is held every April along with the Annual Meeting. The Clydesdale Breeders of the U.S.A. are very dedicated to promoting the Clydesdale.
Web Site: http://clydesusa.com, www.grantsfarm.com; Castle Kennedy International Horse Driving Trials: 25th - 27th August 2006; forums.di.fm

Photographs: www.ansi.okstate.edu
Warren Hiskett, Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association
Clydesdale Breeders of the U.S.A., Pecatonica, IL
www.equine-world.co.uk Articles: Clydesdale Horse

About the Author: M. Y. Mim is a free-lance journalist based in Santa Barbara, Ca. She may be reached at mymim3@cox.net, or through her agent R. Almqvist, 805-705-5349.