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Clydesdale

Family: Equidae

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Equus caballusClydesdale draft horse at the Maryland State Fair
Photo Wiki-Commons: Courtesy USDA image by Bill Tarpenning
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   The Clydesdale is one of the most popular heavy horses in the world!

   Clydesdales is the quintessential embodiment of the familiar draft horse. They are beautiful movers with a high stepping gait, which made them popular as flashy carriage horses. Today they are popular in the show ring and as fancy carriage horses. The most well-known Clydesdales are the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. 

   The Clydesdale was bred to have large, well-proportioned feet and sound legs for walking on hard, cobblestone roads. They have longer legs and a more streamlined body than most draft breeds. The name 'Clydesdale' is from the Clyde Valley in Lanarkshire, Scotland (previously known as Clydesdale) where it is believed to have originated. It is the only living heavy horse from Scotland.

   These draft horses were traditionally used to pull carts and carriages until the development of the automobile in the 1930's. As the Clydesdales tend to be too large to fit in furrows, they were not well suited for use as plow horses. They have been used in the United Kingdom as ceremonial drum horses in many royal processions. The Drum Horses lead the Household Calvary, ridden by drummers who work the reins with their feet while holding drumsticks in their hands.

Horse Backgrounds
  The Clydesdale is thought to have originated in the Clyde Valley in Lanarkshire, Scotland with the mixing of local mares with Flemish stallions in the mid 1700's. The breed was founded by the 6th Duke of Hamilton and the breeder John Paterson, who intended the breed for pulling carts for the nearby coal mines. The horses were bred to have large, well-proportioned feet and sound legs for walking on hard, cobblestone roads. They are not as well-suited for plowing because they tend to be too large to fit in the furrows. They were first shown to the rest of the world at a world’s fair called the Glasgow Exhibition in 1826, and began being exported to do farm work in other countries. By the 1930’s, farm horses were replaced by tractors and automobiles put carriage horses out of work, causing the Clydesdale population to decline. The breed was in danger of dying out, but in the 1960’s, Clydesdales became popular in the show ring and as fancy carriage horses. They are currently one of the most popular heavy horses in the world.

Description
   The modern Clydesdale stands at 16.2-18 hands high and has a straight facial profile and long legs with long, silky hair called “feathers.” They have longer legs and more streamlined bodies than most draft breeds. Cow hocks are considered a feature of the Clydesdale breed, although it is often seen as poor conformation in horses.
   They are beautiful movers with a high stepping gait, which has made them popular as flashy carriage horses. The most common Clydesdale colors are bay, brown, black, chestnut, and roan. Clydesdale markings generally consist of a white stripe on the face or a bald face and white lower legs

Horse Care and Feeding
   The Clydesdales are large horses. They eat about twice as much as other horses, which is about 25 to 50 pounds of hay a day, plus about 5 pounds of concentrated feed if they are being exercised.
   Since Clydesdales are large horses, they need more room than other horses. A 24’ x 24’ stall is the minimum size a Clydesdale should be kept in as long as they are turned out into a paddock daily.

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Horse Training and Activities
   The Clydesdale has a very pleasing disposition. It is proud, alert, intelligent and willing. They are commonly used for pulling carts or carriages.
   In the show ring, Clydesdales are shown in halter, cart, and hitch classes. They also make good riding horses and people use them for trail riding, jumping, and dressage. Their calm personalities make them a good horse for therapeutic riding programs that help disabled people learn to walk by feeling the movements of the horse’s walking.

Common Health Problems
   "Scratches" or pododermititis are more prevalent in horses that are subjected to wet muddy conditions for extended periods. Horses with white feet seem also to be more susceptible to scratches.

Availability
   The Clydesdale is available many parts of the world and are fairly inexpensive.

References
Maria Costantino, The Handbook of Horse Breeds, Barns and Noble, 2004
John Diedrich, The Clydesdale Horse, Capstone Press: Mankato, Minnesota. 2005

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Latest Comments
When I was a toddler in the early 60s my parents bought me a rocking horse. My mother told me (when I was a teenager) that I was on my rocking horse all the time. As a teenager my two younger brothers and I would go horsebackriding for $20 an hour each. That was back in the 70s. I haven't gone horsebackriding in a while. I always wanted to board a horse for my daughter but my husband and I realized we couldn't afford it. I'm a good scratchboard artist and horses are my favorite subject. I have sold some of them but neglected to make prints. I'm active with petitions with two humane associations to stop the slaughter of horses. I'll always love horses and if I could I would have two Clydesdales for my husband,daughter and I to ride. Horses are such noble animals. Regina Elliott 2009-10-13
These amazing horses are so beautiful. My dad and I both want to buy at least 1, possibly 2. I would also like to get some better riding horses. These horses are too beautiful to ride. -_- : ) =) => J 2009-06-13
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I have wanted a horse for a long time now and I decided awhile back that I wanted a Clydesdale and I am happy to have found out that they do make good riding horses. Hopefully I'll be able to get one someday and thank you for helping me get this information. desiree 2009-01-18

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