Clydesdale Horse Breed Profile, Traits, Facts and Care

(Last Updated On: October 9, 2021)

How beautiful a horse can be? If you’ve ever watched a horse-drawn Budweiser parade, you’ve probably wondered at the stylish studs. It is a strong Clydesdale horse with glaring pride, which is a highly recognized heavy horse breed.

The Clydesdale horse is easy to spot, thanks to their massive size, trademark feathers around their legs, and high posture, but despite their imposing size, they are generally very gentle, straightforward, and trainable horses to work with.

Clydesdale Horse overview

Weight: 1,600 to 2,400 pounds

Height: 16 hands (inches৪ inches) to 18 inches (72 inches)

Body type: Long, silky feathers on legs; Round leg; Wide forehead; Arched, long neck

Best for: Owners and riders of all levels

Life expectancy: 20 to 25 years

Slidedale History and Origins

Clydesdale horse was developed in Scotland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in what is now known as the Lanarkshire District.

The slide river flowed through that area and gave the Clydesdale horse its name.

When the Scottish settlers brought horses to Canada, the breed first came to North America.

In the late 1970s, regular horses were introduced to the United States, where they were used to pull fields, power machinery, wagons, and perform other tasks that required great strength and endurance.

Since the replacement of heavy horses in machinery and industry began – the true horsepower may be rendered needless – Clydesdale horse came very close to extinction.

Their registration played a role in reducing the population during the First World War.

The Clydesdale horse Society was formed in 1877 as a breed registry. Nowadays, breeders and enthusiasts work to ensure Clydesdale’s survival.

Clydesdale horse is the largest number available in the United States, where about 600 additional horses are registered each year. The United States, Canada, and Australia follow the United States in population.

The size of the Clydesdale horse

Clydesdale horses are one of the tallest horse breeds, with an average standing between 16 hands (64 inches) and 18 hands (72 inches).

Their pressing height matches their weight, which tops 1,600 pounds. Stallions are often taller and weigh more than mares.

Clydesdale horse Breeding and Use

The Clydesdale horse was developed to work hard and long. In their first history, they were used as war horses, carrying heavy-armed troops.

They have pulled up farms, hoisted logs in the forests, pulled shipment and milk wagons, and performed other simple haulage operations.

Today, they are used for both riding and driving, and they are often overtaken with abbreviations to develop strong, level-headed sports horses.

These are still occasionally used in agricultural work and logging but they have been replaced mostly by machinery. They are often seen at fairs and exhibitions.

Clydesdale horses often serve as drum horses in parades. Each horse carries two drums that weigh about 120 pounds, as well as a riding officer.

The Clydesdale horse selected for this purpose must be at least 17 hands long (68 inches).

Furthermore, with their calmness, agility, and energy, they make great trail horses. Those same traits make them valuable therapy horses.

Colors and Marks

Clydesdale horse is often subtle in color but may also be black gray or chestnut. Their coats may be solid or have some marks or marks.

White stockings are common on the legs, but strong colors can be seen. They often have wide white blazes or tuck face marks, resulting in a combination of crisp, eye-catching eyes.

Bay and black Clydesdale horses often command a premium, especially when they sport white face markings and familiar white stockings.

Rans tend to be the least desirable, but the breed associations make no such difference. No color is undesirable in their eyes and they easily accept horses with body scars.

The distinctive features of Clydesdale horse

One of the most clearly defined features of a Clydesdale is its large bough. These are generally the size of frying pans and weigh about 5 pounds each.

In contrast, about a quarter of the average racing horse has a hoof. In addition to Khokon, Clydesdales is known for four white legs with many feathers.

They have a high step walk and trot, which gives them a proud, impressive presentation.

Diet and Nutrition

A Clydesdale horse eats or feeds 25 to 50 pounds of straw and 2 to 10 pounds of grain daily. This is twice the average horse breed size.

Likewise, they need more water than the average size horse. To maintain a healthy weight, their feeding needs may vary depending on their age and level of activity.

General health and behavioral problems

Clydesdale horse is generally a healthy horse with a calm and gentle temperament. However, they are at risk of some health problems.

Some develop chronic progressive lymphedema, a disease that causes swelling in the legs.

Clydesdales can also develop skin infections under the thick leg hair if not maintained properly.

Grooming

Clydesdale horse needs some extra decorative care. For one, grooming takes longer just because of their size.

Also, feathers on their feet should be shampoo regularly to remove dirt and debris and it needs to be completely dry to prevent skin irritation.

Clydesdale horse needs to inspect and clean their large hay beds daily, and they need horses that are much larger than ideal.

Pros

Intelligent
Calm disposition
Training is easy

Cons

Additional grooming is required
It is often more expensive to keep than the average size horse
Champion and celebrity Clydesdale horse
Many have seen the Budweiser Clydesdale, either commercially or even privately.

These horses have been part of Anheuser-Busch since the 1930s. Following the ban, the company used a horse-drawn beer wagon to market its products.

The wagon toured several states, delivering on the way to Budweiser. Today, several teams still travel throughout the United States and attend many public events.

Is the Clydesdale horse right for you?

The size of Clydesdale is just topped by its easy location. These gentle giants make great family horses, even for people with limited horse experience.

Their wit and calm demeanor make it quite easy to train them, and they are often described as happy horses who process and play. They are fairly tough horses even in cool weather.

However, the Clydesdale horse is more expensive than other horse breeds due to its size. They eat more food, the shoe average may require more than the average size horse, and they need enough space.

The 24-by-24-foot stall is widely regarded as the minimal size of Slidesdale that comes out every day; A larger stall is needed for one that travels less frequently in the paddock

How to accept or purchase Clydesdale horse

You can expect to pay the perfect minimum of $ 1000 to accept or purchase a Clydesdale. The average spending falls between $ 2,500 and $ 5,000.

And the price can skyrocket from there. The bay or the black slider deals with white face markings and legs are highly sought after, as they often cost a lot more.

When choosing a named horse rescue or breeder, look for a company that is transparent about its horse’s history, medical needs, and temperament.

Ask to spend time with the Clydesdale horse before bringing the horse home, especially at the point where you will see how the company treats its animals.

And keep an eye out for any potential problems, such as lameness or exhaustion.