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Clydesdale Draft Horse History & Origin

The Clydesdale originated in the Clyde region of Scotland during the mid-18th century and replaced the use of the Shire in Scotland. It developed from a tough and hardy native breed and, with the introduction of Belgian Draft and Flemish stallions, started to gain size and bulk. One of the early influential stallions was a horse called Blaze, a native stallion. This laid the roots for the breed and then, during the 1720s, the 6th Duke of Hamilton imported six Flemish Great Horses to further improve the Clydesdale.

The early Clydesdales were referred to as the Clydesman's Horses by local people and they gained recognition and admiration for their enormous pulling power. Infusions of Shire blood added to their bulk, especially during the latter stages of the 19th century, when Lawrence Drew and David Riddel introduced the use of Shire mares. Interestingly these two breeders were convinced that the Shire and the Clydesdale were two branches of one breed. The Clydesdales were widely used throughout Lanarkshire for hauling loads of coal, they began to be used throughout England. Several early influential stallions were Glancer, who foaled 1806, and Broomfield Champion. Broomfield Champion is often credited with stamping his mark on the modern Clydesdale and this was partly through the influence of this son, Clyde.

Clydesdale Draft Horse Population & Evolution

As with all draft breeds, they suffered a decline in numbers after the beginnings of mechanization. At one time there were at least 140,000 Clydesdales known in Scotland; by 1949 just 80 animals were licensed in England and by 1975 the Rare Breed Survival Trust had listed the breed as "vulnerable". Clydesdales have since seen resurgence in popularity and population, resulting in the breed's status being reclassified favorably as "at risk", with an estimated global population of just 5,000 individuals. Clydesdales are now most numerous in the United States where recently over 600 foals are reportedly born each year.

Today, the Clydesdale's most significant presence is in exhibition and parade, and is famously represented by the Budweiser Clydesdale team.

The Clydesdale Horse Society was formed in 1877 - the Clydesdale was the first draft horse in Britain to have its own society. The Clydesdale has several characteristics which breeders have sought to maintain, namely, their exceptionally tough and hard legs and feet and the activity and energy of their stride. They have one of the most extravagant strides seen in the draft breeds.

Clydesdale Draft Horse Uses

Draft horse showing is a form of competition where Clydesdales and other draft horse breeds are judged in performance when driving in harness and in halter.

In the Halter competition, horses are judged according to the ideal standard held in the judge’s mind. This is subjective and each judge may have different values in what they consider ideal. Importance is given to the legs and overall presence of the horse, as well as its movement. The ideal Clydesdale hind leg varies greatly from that of light horse breeds. A good angulation is required with the gaskin at about a 45 degree angle and well muscled. The hock is broad and square and free from any blemish and fluid. The hind cannon is long, 'flat and square'. The set of the hind legs is very close ideally touching with long pasterns at a 45 degree angle. On the move the horse must exhibit a fluid wheeling gait in which a lot of ground is taken. Hind legs should move very close together without interfering with a good lift to the hoof. In the front the horse should exhibit a natural high action. The horse should have a good depth of body both in heart girth and in kidney girth. The horse should also exhibit a nicely sloped croup with a high tail set. The neck should be long and slightly arched connecting well into the shoulders. The forehead should be broad and flat; the head should be held high. The feather or leg hair should be long and silky so as to emphasize this gait.

Size is also a factor, but more important is the build of the animal; its appearance should be that of a strong, healthy and weighty beast without excess bulk. Color and pattern are generally not considered, although coloration should be vivid and white markings ought to be a bright white. Much care is giving by exhibitors to have their animals carefully turned out for the show ring.

In performance classes the way the animal behaves in harness is considered. Ideal cart horses move around the ring with a very high effortless gait, taking a lot of ground with each step. The head is held high and the ears erect. Horses should be responsive to the driver and make transitions easily. In teams and multiple hitches the way in which the horses work together and the hitch as a whole is judged. Quality of horse and equipment is also a factor.

Aside from their use in traditional agriculture and in the show ring, Clydesdales are also ridden under saddle. It is becoming increasingly popular to ride Clydesdales in English disciplines, and a very popular cross-bred on the Hunt is the Clydesdale-Thoroughbred.

Clydesdale Draft Horse Conformation

The Clydesdale is a powerful, heavy, and handsome horse. Males and females should both have these qualities, and they should also exhibit a free action that creates an impression of quality rather than bulk.

Clydesdales are judged heavily on the quality of their legs and feet. Members of the breed should have open, wide, and round feet and generous feathering on the legs, and their pasterns should be long and set at a 45 degree angle from the hoof head to the fetlock joint. The points of the hocks should be turned inwards and the shanks from the hock joint to fetlock joint must be straight. The Clydesdale should have an open, broad forehead and a flat profile. The muzzle should be wide and the ears should be big. The neck should arch and the withers should be high. A short strong back is favored, and heavily muscled quarters complete the picture of a strong yet graceful animal.

*References:
- The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
- The Clydesdale Horse Society, Scotland

Clydesdale Draft Horse Breeders

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