Breed Profile: Clydesdales Explored
Equestrian News Release
When one thinks of Clydesdales, you may think of the classic beer commercials that brought the beautiful breed to the mainstream mindset. These majestic beauties have been around for over 300 years, and have pulled their weight in more ways than one. This month we will explore the mighty Clydesdales and the history that surrounds them.
History
Clydesdales are named after their point of origin- Clydesdale, Scotland. Originally bred for working in the fields, they were often used in transporting heavy materials to and from coal fields and to bring supplies into the city from neighboring towns. Their large stature and heavy coat were well suited for the harsh climate, and the horses soon began to pop up throughout England.
Records of the breed go back up to 300 years, and show a shaky history. The breed hit American soil in the mid 1800’s but soon found themselves somewhat obsolete with the invention of the tractor after World War II. In fact, at one time the breed was considered seriously in danger of extinction.
Today’s Clydesdales
Today’s Clydesdales are thriving thanks to the support of breeders that have sought out to keep the breed going strong. There are more than 5,000 Clydesdales in the US, and that number grows each and every year. Commercial sponsors such as Budweiser have also helped the breed reach a new level of stardom.
Physical Attributes
Clydesdales are a distinctive breed known for their size and versatility. Some of their attributes include:
• Weight- approximately 2,000 pounds
• Height – 16-18 hands or over 6 feet
• Large, prominent head
• A flat nose
• Small ears
• Intelligent eyes
• Straight neck with a deep chest, and heavy shoulders
• Short, curved back that gives them an arched profile
• Long, strong legs with large hoofs.
• Colors: can vary but they can typically be brown, roan, chestnut, and black. They can also have white body spots or high white markings. Some varieties can also have small flecks of white throughout the body.
• One of the most distinguishable characteristics is the long hair that is present on the lower legs, covering their hooves. It is typically white, but could also be seen brown or black.
A breed worth watching
The Clydesdale is a rare mixture of both beauty and brawn. Their size gives them the capacity to work in the fields, and is still used today in areas that modern equipment can or won’t be used to cultivate crops or move supplies. Their beautiful coats and sheer size make them a welcome addition in the show ring and commercial arenas as well, and have helped the breed reach star status. So whether you know and love a Clydesdale yourself, or just know them from Budweiser commercials, you should defiantly take a second look at the majestic Clydesdales.
Resources
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/clydesdale/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clydesdale_(breed)
http://www.clydesusa.com/clydesdale.htm
Reader Comments
Be the first to submit a comment on this article!
Submit your comments
Link to this article
---------------------- It's easy! Just copy code below and paste into your webpage --------------------
<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/breed-profile-clydesdales-horses-7-1-07.html">Breed Profile: Clydesdales Explored</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your link will appear like this:
Breed Profile: Clydesdales Explored ~ EquestrianMag.com
|
