Clydesdale (breed)
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The Clydesdale is a breed of draft horse named after and derived from the very hard-working farm horses of Clydesdale (now Lanarkshire), Scotland. They are perhaps most famous for their use as the mascot of beer company Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser brand.
Thought to be over 300 years old, the breed was once extensively used for pulling heavy loads in both rural and urban settings in the Commonwealth and United States. Today, the Clydesdale's most significant presence is in exhibition and parade.
With an estimated global population of just 5,000 individuals, the Clydesdale is recognized by the Rare Breed Survival Trust as "at risk".
Characteristics
Clydesdales are noted for their rugged grace and versatility; they are strong yet amiable animals exceeding 18 hands (1.8 meters or 6 feet) in height and over one ton (2204 pounds) in weight. Clydesdales come in a vast array of color combinations; various shades of bay, brown, sorrel, chestnut, and black. The may also have a variety of white markings ranging from soild with four whites and a blaze to almost completely white with large loud markings. Clydesdales also commonly come in various roans. Also they can exhibit one or more dark legs either brownish mixed with white hairs, grey mixed with white hairs or solid black. Clydesdales have distinctive tufts of white or black hair on their lower legs known as feather (never called feathers). Nowadays chiefly for show, this hair was first a result of native stock and the Flemish horse.The muzzle is also typically white, many have distincitve dark spots. Hoof size is another distinct feature of Clydesdales; their hooves are twice the width of a thoroughbred race horse's.
Foals are born after an 11-month pregnancy and may weigh up to 82 kilograms (180 pounds). They are fast growers and for the first few months gain up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) per day; a mother is capable of producing over 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of milk per day in order to support this rate of development.
History
Further developed to meet the practical needs of early 19th century Scotland, the Clydesdale is thought to have arisen from the mid-18th century cross breeding of local mares with larger English and Flemish stock perhaps originally developed for use as warhorses.The breed was well received owing to its agile strength and docility, soon spreading to northern England and later exported to other Commonwealth countries, namely Australia, and New Zealand; Clydesdales were first shipped to North America in 1840, and later to South America, Russia, Austria and Italy. Exports peaked in 1911 with a recorded 1,617 stallions trading hands. According to the Clydesdale Horse Society (formally founded 1887), between 1884 and 1945 20,183 animals were exported. Two stallions are recognized as the foundation of the breed: Lord Darney and Prince of Wales. All Clydesdales horses today can be traced back to these two sires. The development of the breed has come a long way from these two foundation sires. There was a lot of focuss on developing the hind leg and quality of hair.
As a beast of labor, Clydesdales had been largely replaced by tractors and other heavy machinery by the end of World War II. Through the determination of many small breeders the breed continued through the lean post World War II era. However, the horses are still used in situations where machines are unwanted or inferior, such as "eco-friendly" farming and logging operations. Clydesdales are now most often seen in competitive agricultural exhibitions such as state, county and national fairs.
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". Clydesdales are now most numerous in the United States where over 600 foals are reportedly born each year.
The Clydesdale, a gift to the Busch family at the end of Prohibition, has become a symbol of the Anheuser-Busch beer company (makers of Budweiser) and they have appeared in many of their television commercials. Clydesdale hitches have had a long history as advertising and promotion tools of companies. The Wilson Packing Company and Hawthorn Melody Dairy are examples of companies in the past who activly campaigned Clydesdale hitches. The rise of company hitches helped to fuel the Clydesdale market during the post World War II era. Thus, color became a factor for breeders. The preference for the bay with four whites comes from this.
In show and private use
Clydesdales are judged in two categories: performance and 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 body should be fairly short coupled and in older horses well muscled and fit. The back is short and tight, and the shoulders well sloped and never straight. 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 there animals carefuly 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 errect. Horses should be responsive to the driver and make transistions easily. In teams and mulpitple 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. They are used in both therapeutic and recreational trail riding.
See also
External links
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