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  The Clydesdale Horse

Height
Between 16.2hh to 18.hh.

Colour
Bay. Black, brown, roan and rarely chestnut.

Markings
The preferred markings are four white socks, from knees to hock,
with a blaze or white face.

Build
Body should be short and compact, with well sprung ribs. Quarters should be strong and well muscled, showing some length. Wither should be high and well defined, shoulders should be wide and moderately sloped. Neck should be of moderate length and well arched. Head should be broad and flat, wth wide muzzle and large nostrils. Bright eyes and big ears.
Legs should be strong and muscular, and with joints broad and ample feather along the lower leg. Feet should be wide, open and round.

Movement
Ground covering with good length of stride. Moderate knee action with well flexed hocks.

History
The Clydesdale originates from the River Clyde district in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Originally known as the 'Clydesman's' horse he later became known as the Clydesdale.
Bred as a draught horse to meet the demands of commerce, larger Flemish stallions were crossed with local mares. His duties would have included general farm work, forestry and heavy haulage work to and from the coal fields. Demand for the Clydesdale horse was such that hiring societies were formed in 1837 and Clydesdales were being used all over Scotland and Northern England.

In 1887 the Clydesdale Horse Society was formed and the first stud book published the following year, in which 1000 Clydesdale stallions were registered.

At one point Scotland had around 140,000 farm horses, most of which beng Clydesdale or part bred. Mechanisation saw the demand for these horses decline rapidly, the onset of war imposed a further decline of the breed. In 1946 just over 200 working stallions were licensed. By 1949, numbers had decreased to just 80. Over the years breed numbers have steadily risen, the breed was classed AS vunerable in 1975 by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
The breed is now classed as 'at risk'.

Clydesdales today are commonly used for farm work and forestry. They are also used for riding, driving and showing, being a very popular attraction in the main ring at agricultural shows; often shown in full traditional harness. The Clydesdale has gained such world wide popularity, he has been exported to the US, New Zealand, Australia and Canada as far back as the 1th century.
Most notable from their popularity in the US, as August Busch of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company of St. Louis, Missouri, presented an eight hitch team of Clydesdale horses to his father Adolphus Busch. Since then they have been the company's national trademark. In 1951, they made their first TV advertising appearance and have featured in Budweiser beer adverts on many occasions since.

Breed Society
http://www.clydesdalehorsesociety.com

Commonwealth Clydesdale Horse Society
http://www.clydesdalehorse.com.au

Did you know?
A mature Clydesdale stallion can weigh up to 2200 lbs.

World Record "log pulling" was set in 1893. Two Clydesdale Stallions hauled a sledge laden with timber weighing 128 tonnes, the equivalent of pulling 22 African Elephants.

The RBST currently recognises the Clydesdales status as 'At risk'.

Time line
1887 - The Clydesdale Horse Society was formed.
1878 - The American Clydesdale Horse Association was formed.
1921 - Commonwealth Clydesdale Horse Society Formed.

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