Clydesdale - A breed portrait of the famous Budweis horses

Clydesdale profile

• Origin: Scotland, end of the 18th century
• Type: Cold blood
• Height: 163-193 cm, some stallions over 200 cm
• Weight: Up to 1,000 kg
• Life expectancy: 20 to 25 years
• Colors: Predominantly brown, dark brown and black with white markings on head and legs
• Character: Friendly, willing to learn, strong nerves, temperamental, but good-natured
• Special features: Striking white markings, often long pastern hair

History & origin of the Clydesdale

The Clydesdale originates from Scotland and takes its name from the Clydesdale region (now South Lanarkshire), where it was bred in the late 18th century. The breed was created by selectively crossing native mares with large Flemish and Shire stallions to create a powerful workhorse for farming and transporting heavy loads.

As early as the 19th century, the Clydesdale was known as a strong and enduring cold-blooded horse and was exported to many countries, including Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The breed was particularly indispensable during industrialization - it pulled carts in cities and helped transport goods to ports and factories.

With the increasing mechanization of agriculture, the demand for working horses fell sharply and the population of the Clydesdale dwindled considerably. In the 1970s, the breed was even considered endangered. Thanks to breeding efforts and use in shows, parades and as advertising horses - especially by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales - the population was able to stabilize again. 

Appearance of the Clydesdale

The Clydesdale is a large, powerful cold-blooded cold-blooded horse with an imposing appearance. It has a muscular build, a well-proportioned physique and an elegant appearance.

Typical of the breed is the strong build with a long back, broad chest and strong hindquarters. The head is distinctive but elegantly shaped, with large, expressive eyes. The legs are long and stable, often with pronounced pasterns, which are particularly noticeable when moving.

The height is between 163 and 193 cm, with some stallions growing to over 2 meters. The weight varies between 800 and 1,000 kg.

The coat is usually brown, dark brown or black, often with white markings on the head and legs. The light-colored, usually bright white legs are particularly striking and give the breed an unmistakable appearance.

The movements of the Clydesdale are powerful and expansive. When trotting, it shows a high knee action, which is particularly effective in show performances and parades.

Clydesdale character

This Scottish horse breed is considered willing to learn, strong-nerved and people-oriented, which makes it particularly attractive for handling beginners and as a leisure horse.

Typical of the Clydesdale is its willingness to work. Formerly used as draught and pack horses, they are still highly motivated and cooperative today. The animals are intelligent and can be trained well, but react sensitively to their surroundings and contact with people.

Despite their size, Clydesdales are gentle and patient, which makes them suitable for parades, shows and leisure activities. Their calmness is particularly evident in stressful situations, which means they remain confident even at events with lots of stimuli.

Although they have a certain temperament, with the right guidance they are reliable and loyal partners.

Clydesdale breeding

The breeding of the Clydesdale follows strict criteria in order to preserve the typical characteristics of the breed. Particularly important are the size, the strong build, the distinctive white markings and the long pasterns. The aim is to obtain robust and capable horses with a balanced temperament.

Breeding associations and conservation measures

The most important breeding association is the Clydesdale Horse Society, which was founded in Great Britain in 1877 . It sets strict standards for breeding and keeps a studbook to ensure the purity of the breed.

As the population has fallen sharply in the past, the Clydesdale is now classified as an endangered breed. Breeders all over the world are working to preserve the bloodlines. There are still significant populations in Canada, the USA and Australia in particular.

Intended uses and areas of application

The Clydesdale was originally bred for heavy work. In agriculture, it pulled plows and carts, while in cities it was used for transporting goods. The breed was also used in forestry to move tree trunks out of inaccessible terrain.

Today, the Clydesdale is mainly used in shows and parades. Its striking appearance and elegant movement make it an eye-catcher at public events. The Budweiser Clydesdales in particular have made the breed famous worldwide.

The Clydesdale is also becoming increasingly popular as a leisure horse. Despite its size, it is gentle and easy to train, making it suitable for various riding and driving disciplines. In some regions, it is still traditionally used as a carriage horse, whether for tourist rides or representative purposes.

In recent years, the Clydesdale has also become increasingly important in therapy work. Its calm nature and friendly charisma make it particularly suitable for use with children and people with special needs.

The Budweiser Clydesdales

The Budweiser Clydesdales are one of the most famous groups of Clydesdale horses and have made the breed famous worldwide. They have been the flagship of the Budweiser brand since the 1930s and regularly appear in advertising campaigns, parades and shows.

The first Budweiser horses were purchased by the Anheuser-Busch brewery in 1933 to celebrate the end of Prohibition in the USA. Since then, the imposing Clydesdales with their striking white markings and elegant knee action have been an integral part of the brand identity. They are particularly well known for their appearances in the Super Bowl, where they can regularly be seen in emotional commercials.

In order to maintain the high standard, Budweiser Clydesdale Horses must fulfill strict criteria. Each horse must be at least 1.83 m tall, brown with white markings and have a pronounced pastern. The animals are kept and carefully trained in the company's famous Clydesdale stables in Missouri and New Hampshire.

Today, Budweiser horses represent the proud tradition of the brewing company and attract worldwide attention. Their appearances in parades, events and commercials have helped to establish the Clydesdale horse as one of the most impressive Scottish horse breeds in the public eye.

Care and keeping of the Clydesdale

The Clydesdale is a robust cold bloodadapted to the harsh Scottish climate. Nevertheless, its size and distinctive pasterns require special care.

Space requirements and husbandry

Due to its considerable size, a Clydesdale needs a lot of space. Generous grazing with sufficient exercise is ideal. The stable should be large enough, with a sufficiently high ceiling and spacious boxes so that the horse feels comfortable.

Feeding

The high energy requirements of this breed require adapted feeding. In addition to high-quality hay and grass, additional concentrates are often necessary to support muscle development. A sufficient supply of minerals and vitamins is particularly important, as Clydesdales can be susceptible to bone diseases due to their rapid growth.

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Pastern care

The dense pastern coat is characteristic of the breed, but requires regular grooming to prevent skin problems. Dirt and moisture can lead to moulting which is why the fetlocks should be washed and dried regularly.

Exercise and employment

Although it is a cold-blooded horse, the Clydesdale needs regular exercise to stay healthy and efficient. In addition to grazing, walks, light work under the saddle or in front of the carriage are useful. Many Clydesdales also enjoy ground work and the variety provided by different forms of training.

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Common diseases

Mud fever

Moisture often remains in the legs due to the dense pasterns. In combination with dirt, this can lead to maukea painful inflammation of the skin. If left untreated, the inflammation spreads further and can penetrate deeper into the tissue. As a preventative measure, the fetlocks should be cleaned regularly and dried well. Especially in winter or when the ground is muddy, it is important to treat affected areas at an early stage.

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Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL)

A particular risk for the Clydesdale is CPL, a chronic swelling of the legs. Disturbed lymph circulation leads to permanent thickening and skin changes on the lower limbs. Affected horses suffer from feelings of tension, itching and sores. As the disease cannot be cured, it can only be slowed down by intensive care, massage and exercise. Regular veterinary checks are crucial.

Laminitis 

Feeding too much energy or metabolic problems can cause laminitis in Clydesdale laminitis can trigger laminitis. This causes the hoof corium to become inflamed, leading to severe pain and lameness. Overweight or metabolically sensitive horses are particularly at risk. Controlled feeding, sufficient exercise and avoiding obesity help to minimize the risk.

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Joint problem

The heavy weight of up to 1,000 kg puts a lot of strain on the joints. Older or heavily stressed Clydesdales in particular can suffer from osteoarthritis. Even at a young age, attention should be paid to a posture that is easy on the joints and appropriate weight-bearing. Good shoeing can also help to relieve the joints.

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Growth disorders 

As Clydesdales grow quickly, problems with the bones and joints can occur during rearing. An unbalanced diet can promote malformations or diseases such as osteochondrosis . To avoid this, young horses should grow slowly and receive a balanced supply of minerals .

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‍Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Clydesdale

What is the difference between a Shire Horse and a Clydesdale?

The Clydesdale and the Shire Horse are both large cold-blooded breeds with similar origins. While the Shire Horse is usually larger and bulkier, the Clydesdale is characterized by a somewhat slimmer, more elegant stature and often more knee action when moving. In addition, white markings and pronounced pasterns are more common in the Clydesdale.

How old can Clydesdales get?

A healthy Clydesdale horse can reach an age of 20 to 25 years. Appropriate husbandry, balanced feeding and good care contribute significantly to longevity.

How big is a Clydesdale?

The height of a Clydesdale is typically between 163 and 193 cm. Particularly tall stallions can even reach over 2 meters.

How heavy is a Clydesdale?

The Clydesdale horse weighs between 800 and 1,000 kg, depending on its size. Some particularly large stallions can even weigh more.

Are Clydesdales weight carriers?

Yes, due to their strong musculature and stable bone structure, Clydesdales can carry heavy weights. They are well suited for heavy riders or as driving horses for carriages and wagons.

Are Clydesdales suitable as riding horses?

Although they were originally bred as draft and working horses, Clydesdales are also suitable as riding horses. They are good-natured, reliable and offer a comfortable seat, however, due to their size, a correspondingly large equipment and saddle fitting is necessary.

How much food does a Clydesdale need per day?

Due to their size, Clydesdales need large quantities of hay and concentrates every day. An adult horse eats around 25-30 kg of hay and additional appropriate amounts of concentrates and minerals to cover its energy requirements.

Why are Budweiser Clydesdales so famous?

The Budweiser Clydesdales were introduced in 1933 and have been the advertising symbol of the Budweiser beer brand ever since. They appear in parades, shows and Super Bowl commercials and are one of the most recognizable Clydesdale teams in the world.

Are there many Clydesdales left?

Although the breed was considered endangered in the 1970s, breeding programmes have helped to stabilize the population. Nevertheless, the Clydesdale is now one of the rarer cold-blooded breeds, especially in Europe.