Clydesdale Horse - Equine showcase - Scottish Smallholder Festival 2020

The Clydesdale Horse is the pride of Scotland and is a native breed which was founded in Lanarkshire, Clydesdale being the old name for the district. The history of the breed dates back from the middle of the 18th century when native horses of Lanarkshire were graded up in an effort to produce greater weight and substance by the use of Flemish stallions.

A Clydesdale should have a nice open forehead, broad between the eyes, a flat profile, wide muzzle, large nostrils, a bright clear intelligent eye, big ears and a well arched long neck springing out of an oblique shoulder with high withers.

A Clydesdale will normally stand between 17 hh and 18 hh with some mares being slightly smaller and some stallions and geldings being slightly bigger.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, breed numbers dwindled and in 1975, the Clydesdale was categorized by the Rare Breed Survival Trust as “vulnerable”. Over the years and with the increase in breed numbers, it is now categorized as “at risk”.

The popularity of the Clydesdale grows continually, but despite this there are still only around 250 foals recorded in the stud book each year.

Clydesdales in the 21st century are not only being used for their traditional purposes of driving, farm work and logging but they have become more and more popular for riding, with Clydesdale ridden classes now being included at many shows along with the in hand classes.

People with a love of the Clydesdale are not only rediscovering uses for the breed, but the associated skills such as harness making and shoeing.

Produced by Sandy Aitken, Lynn Gowans, and Kiera Gowans.

Thumbnail photo by Trevor Dennis: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-...

Clydesdale Horse Society: https://clydesdalehorsesociety.com/
Scottish Smallholder Festival: https://ssgf.uk/
Smallholding Scotland: https://smallholding.scot/

Supported by The Scottish Government and SRUC.

Scottish Government: https://www.gov.scot/
SRUC: https://www.sruc.ac.uk