Why the Clydesdale is an Ideal Workhorse

You may remember the Clydesdale horse from those famous Budweiser beer commercials. These majestic draft horses originate from Scotland and are named for their region. The breed is several hundred years old and was bred for pulling plows, milk wagons and vegetable carts. This breed has dwindled over the years. At one time the population in Scotland alone was around 140,000. Now, the worldwide population of Clydesdales is around 5,000 and the breed has been listed as vulnerable by the Rare Breed Survival Trust in England. Breeders are working hard to help the breed grow in number.

If you are considering breeding Clydesdales, you will of course need a stallion and a mare. The stallion is called the sire and the mare is called the dam. After the mating period, there is a gestational period of around eleven months which is common to all equine. In the United States, it is estimated that 600 foals are born each year. This number should continue to rise as more horse breeders discover the appeal, usefulness and beauty of this majestic breed. Although these horses do not pull plows anymore, they are commonly used as parade and show animals.

This breed exceeds 18 hands in size and can weigh over 2,000 pounds. The head is large with a bit of an arch to the profile. The ears are small as compared to the size of the head, and the eyes are wide and intelligent. The neck of this horse is rather straight as compared with other breeds and is thick and well-muscled. The body is stocky and powerful, with feathering around the legs. The hooves are twice the size of other breeds such as the Thoroughbred. Although these horses are large, strong and muscular, they are amazingly graceful.

The Clydesdale horse comes in colors like chestnut, bay, roan, and occasionally black. There are often white markings on the horse. The white blaze on the nose and white around the legs is common with this breed. When breeding these horses it is important to make sure the mare is healthy and capable of producing enough milk to sustain the fast growing foal. Clydesdales grow quickly in the foal stage and can gain around four pounds per day during this time. Whether you are a breeder or someone looking for a new horse, you will love the rugged beauty of this Scottish draft breed.



Horse Breeding News:
Owning Racehorses: Horses Come and They Go
You've got to place your horses where they can win and that's what Doug O'Neil did with Diplo. This time he was claimed. It happens. But if you are spotting your horses fairly, you can take losing one in stride knowing you were doing ...


equine assisted learning, horse professionals, horses los angeles .
Rachel Pray's Equine Services Provides a Place to Learn from Horses in Los Angeles The power of the human-animal bond is palpable. Just ask any proud...


Family holds open house to share love of Peruvian horses
The Austin family continues to build on its horse showing and breeding success...


Cup win from a simpler time
SOME time in the late 1940s, Rex Arthur Smith and his horse Diamond won the Byron Bay Cup...


Fiery Steinbrenner was patient horse owner - The Associated Press

Globe and Mail
Fiery Steinbrenner was patient horse owner
The Associated Press
Steinbrenner was a player in the Breeders' Cup, horse racing's richest event. His best finish was second with Acceptable in the 1996 Juvenile. .
Breeder/Owner George Steinbrenner DiesBloodHorse
Racing loses devotee in SteinbrennerESPN
Locals sound off on passing of Yankee owner, horseman SteinbrennerThe Saratogian
People Magazine
all 7,854 news articles »
..


Do you want to be a zookeeper?
Zookeepers are the front-line caretakers who directly interact with zoo animals. Most zookeepers have some science background, such as studying biology or zoology in college. But the only real requirement is a passion for animals -- the kind that pushes someone to want to work with animals. Arts - Zookeeper - Animation - Matt Damon - Health..


Nike TN Requins Training Techniques for Horses
A purebred animal, especially a horse comes with very specific challenges especially while training them for the race track. Many people think that horses can be controlled easily compared to the wild and uncontrollable animals. ...


Racing: NZ stud negotiating for Auckland Reactor
Racing's fallen hero Auckland Reactor could be back in New Zealand next month but a return to the racetrack here looks increasingly unlikely.The one-time wonder horse of harness racing is at the centre of negotiations between...


The history of the Kentucky Derby - Helium

The history of the Kentucky Derby
Helium
Meanwhile, Kentucky took advantage of their lack of competition and became a thriving center of the sport, both racing and breeding. .

..


First stakes win for local resident
As the son of a racehorse owner, Wade Leggett has been around the sport all his life. So when his horse Shez Quick to Ramble won the Black Gold 300 Futurity at Fair Meadows Race Track in Tulsa on Sunday, it was a moment of celebration...


Heard on the Street: Japan's Bureaucratic Bookies - Wall Street Journal

Heard on the Street: Japan's Bureaucratic Bookies
Wall Street Journal
The agriculture ministry started the betting on horses early in the last centuryEUR”with proceeds later used for breeding war horsesEUR”and the lottery kicked .

and more »
..


How to spot a show-stopper - Irish Independent

How to spot a show-stopper
Irish Independent
A judge should not ask the breeding of any horse till after the class is judged. Knowing the breeding can influence one's thinking. .

..


Heavy Horse Show at The National Brewery Centre - CisionWire (press release)

Heavy Horse Show at The National Brewery Centre
CisionWire (press release)
The event will be judged by one of the country's top horse breeders Tom Fountain, who, over the past 50 years, has won countless awards and accolades in .

..


Do you want to be a zookeeper? - Washington Post

Do you want to be a zookeeper?
Washington Post
. such as breeding and enclosures. But he got his start as a zookeeper. And before that, as a teenager, he mucked out stalls at a horse barn. .

and more »
..



Technorati Tags: , ,