| History | | | | goodwill ambassadors for their company. And darn |
| This heavy draft horse traces its roots to the early | | | | good ones too, one might say. |
| 19th century in the Lanarkshire (formerly Clydesdale) | | | | Description and Conformation |
| district of Scotland. There was a strong need for this | | | | Today's Clydesdale typically weighs in from 1600 to |
| large horse not only in the agricultural area but in the | | | | 2000 pounds (113.6 to 142 stones). He stands 16 to 19 |
| commerce area as well. The horses were used in the | | | | hands (162.5 to 193 cm., or 64 to 76 in.) at the shoulder. |
| coalfields of Lanarkshire and for hauling wagons in the | | | | While this is larger than the original Scottish horse, |
| streets of Glasgow. | | | | today's breeders have retained the large feet, the |
| To achieve the desired traits of a horse with a longer | | | | sound legs, and the distinctive looks of the ancestral |
| stride and larger feet, that were necessary on draft | | | | Clydesdales. The colors of the coats are very vivid, |
| horses who worked on the soft soils of the Scottish | | | | the face is usually white, and the most popular trait for |
| lands, English and Belgian stallions were imported and | | | | a performing team of these magnificent horses is four |
| bred with the smaller local mares. The result was the | | | | white socks which reach the knees. The legs are |
| founding line of the modern-day Clydesdales. | | | | usually "feathered" in white hair from the knees down, |
| The breed's reputation grew to the point that Scottish | | | | and the most common color is a bright bay. Once can, |
| breeders began exporting them to Australia, New | | | | however, still see Clydesdales in black, brown, and |
| Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Today the | | | | chestnut. And those are perfectly acceptable for |
| Clydesdale is almost exclusively the only draft breed in | | | | registration as purebreds. |
| its native Scotland, and is still favored in the other four | | | | The overall take on this breed is that of a thoroughly |
| countries as well. | | | | well-built horse which is full of strength and activity. |
| In fact there is one very large and popular brewery in | | | | They naturally hold their heads high and seem very |
| the United States which uses Clydesdales, exclusively, | | | | proud, almost aristocratic. One can see the strength, |
| for pulling replicas of its original beer wagon in parades | | | | agility, and docility in their stance even while they are |
| and at special events around the country. They make | | | | stationary. And once seen in action the Clydesdales |
| these magnificent animals available for one to go into | | | | leave an even more lasting, and awe inspiring, |
| their temporary stables and actually walk up to the | | | | impression! |
| horses for a close-up view. The horses are sort of | | | | |