THE CLYDESDALE

These gentle giants are known for their pulling prowess, but they're also versatile under saddle.

- SAMANTHA JOHNSON

The country of Scotland is known for lots of wonderful and iconic things like bagpipes, castles, and the Loch Ness Monster, but did you know it’s also the original home of Clydesdale draft horses?

BOLD, BRILLIANT, BEAUTIFUL!

Clydesdales are easy to spot—they stand out in a crowd with their bright bay coats and fl ashy white stockings. They’re known for their height, substance, and the abundance of silky feathering on their legs. Best of all, they’re also known for their kind and trainable dispositions.

The earliest Clydesdale horses got their start as farm horses several centuries ago, and were originally developed by crossing Flemish stallions (similar to Belgians) with local draft horse mares. Over the years, breeders began to focus on and finetune the characteristics that made the Clydesdale breed unique, naming them after the region of Scotland formerly known as Clydesdale.

The Clydesdale Horse Society in the United Kingdom was established in 1877, and it was only two years later that Clydesdale enthusiasts in America started their own organization, known today as the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA, or CBUSA.