Why the Clydesdale is an Ideal Workhorse

You may remember the Clydesdale horse from those famous Budweiser beer commercials. These majestic draft horses originate from Scotland and are named for their region. The breed is several hundred years old and was bred for pulling plows, milk wagons and vegetable carts. This breed has dwindled over the years. At one time the population in Scotland alone was around 140,000. Now, the worldwide population of Clydesdales is around 5,000 and the breed has been listed as vulnerable by the Rare Breed Survival Trust in England. Breeders are working hard to help the breed grow in number.

If you are considering breeding Clydesdales, you will of course need a stallion and a mare. The stallion is called the sire and the mare is called the dam. After the mating period, there is a gestational period of around eleven months which is common to all equine. In the United States, it is estimated that 600 foals are born each year. This number should continue to rise as more horse breeders discover the appeal, usefulness and beauty of this majestic breed. Although these horses do not pull plows anymore, they are commonly used as parade and show animals.

This breed exceeds 18 hands in size and can weigh over 2,000 pounds. The head is large with a bit of an arch to the profile. The ears are small as compared to the size of the head, and the eyes are wide and intelligent. The neck of this horse is rather straight as compared with other breeds and is thick and well-muscled. The body is stocky and powerful, with feathering around the legs. The hooves are twice the size of other breeds such as the Thoroughbred. Although these horses are large, strong and muscular, they are amazingly graceful.

The Clydesdale horse comes in colors like chestnut, bay, roan, and occasionally black. There are often white markings on the horse. The white blaze on the nose and white around the legs is common with this breed. When breeding these horses it is important to make sure the mare is healthy and capable of producing enough milk to sustain the fast growing foal. Clydesdales grow quickly in the foal stage and can gain around four pounds per day during this time. Whether you are a breeder or someone looking for a new horse, you will love the rugged beauty of this Scottish draft breed.



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