Clydesdale horses originated in the Clyde Valley in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Crossing Flemish stallions to the local mares created the breed.
Clydesdale horses - picture horses
The breed was founded between 1715 – 1720 to produce strong draught horses to work in the fields and hauling coal in Lanarkshire and heavy hauling in Glasgow from the mines.
Today, Clydesdales are still used for draft purposes, including agriculture, logging and driving.
They are also shown and ridden, as well as kept for pleasure.
Clydesdales and Shires are used by the British Household Cavalry as drum horses, leading parades on ceremonial and state occasions.
These Scotish horses were related to the Shire having been crossed in the 19th century but are lighter in build.
The height varies from 16.2hh – 18hh (1.65 – 1.80m),with some males much larger, standing taller than 18 hands .
With typical colours being brown, bay, grey, black or roan with large markings of white on face and legs and also on the underside of the belly can often be seen.
Many buyers pay a premium for bay and black horses, especially those with four white legs and white facial markings.
The breed has a straight or slightly convex facial profile, broad forehead and wide muzzle.
It is well-muscled and strong, with an arched neck, high withers and a sloped shoulder.
The breed has a very distinctive high stepping action and is by far the best mover of the heavy breeds.
Heavy horse
“Cow hocks” (hocks that turn inwards, close together) are a characteristic of the breed and not seen as a conformation fault.
Due to its popularity the Clydesdale can be found in Europe, Australia, Russia, South Africa, Japan, Canada, USA, and New Zealand.
In Australia the breed is often referred to as the “breed that built Australia”.
The Clydesdale was instrumental in the creation of the Gypsy Vanner horse, developed in Great Britain.
The Clydesdale, along with other draft breeds, was also used to create the Australian Draught Horse.
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