The Clydesdale comes from the Clyde Valley in Scotland. Large draft horses were were needed to help do work on the farms.
Clydesdales became popular all over the world. Clydesdales are loved because they are so strong and big, but also for their fancy style and beautiful movement. In America, thanks to Anheuser-Busch, the Clydesdale will ever be famous for its great elegance and grace.
The Clydesdale is one of the largest draft horses, with very strong legs and feet. Their feet are very large and flat, ideal for pulling heavy loads along roads.
The colors most common are bay and brown with white
markings, but blacks, greys, roans and chestnuts are sometimes
seen.
A full-grown Clydesdale can be 18 hands high. A "hand" equals 4 inches.
Clydesdales are known to be very gentle and kind. Clydesdales are willing and strong workers. They are good jumpers.
The most common
use of the Clydesdale is as a wagon horse. Today the Clydesdale is primarily
used for driving, logging and used on ranches to cut and haul hay to cattle
in the winter.
Clydesdale horses were used in the army in
The First World War.
source:
Farm & Garden: Building Sustainables, http://www.farm-garden.com/drafthorses/clydesdale
adapted by C. Slegona - 05/06, permission requested
source:
The Clydesdale Horse Society http://www.clydesdalehorsesociety.com/modern.htm
adapted by C. Slegona - 05.06, permission requested