Horses

The CLYDESDALE ?is a heavy horse developed in the Clyde Valley Scotland? around 250 years ago, and it remains one of the best known breeds of heavy horse. It was founded sometime between 1715 and 1720, when the 6th Duke of Hamilton imported Flemish horses to improve and increase the size of the native draught horses of Scotland.

John Paterson of Lochlyoch also brought in Flemish horses around the same time "?? most likely from England, and founded a strain that was to be a major influence at least until the mid-19th century. Without question Shire Horse blood has also been introduced to the breed at some stage.

IMPROVING THE BREED
IN the 19th century Lawrence Drew, steward to the 11th Duke of Hamilton at Merryton, and his friend David Riddell set up the Select Clydesdale Horse Society in 1883 in opposition to the official Clydesdale Horse Society Stud Book which had been published five years previously. They believed to the introduction of Shire mares was important to the continuance of the breed, and believed that Shires and Clydesdales should be viewed as types of the same breed. Riddell became one of the first breeders to export Clydesdales, creating a tradition that was to become the hallmark of subsequent Clydesdale breeders.

CHARACTERISTICS
The Clydesdale is renowned for its action which according to the Clydesdale Horse Society has "a flamboyant, flashy, spirited? bearing and a high-stepping action that makes the Clydesdale the most elegant among?draught horses". More importantly than its size and strength, it is bred for its strength and soundness of legs and feet.? Judges will often start with an inspection of same. Excellent as heavy draft horses pulling large loads, they are less good for ploughing, as they can be too big to fit in the furrow.

Modern Clydesdale
The breed is tending towards a lighter version with an average height of 1.68m(16.2hh) though some are large and heavier built.? Legs appears long and carry abundant feather.? Joints are big, hocks broad and clean with glat knees.? Cow hocks are a breed characteristic, sickle hocks however are not acceptable. Breed enthusiasts look for "close" movement, the forelegs being placed right under the shoulders and the hind legs close together.

The Clydesdale has a straight nose and a long neck unlike the Shire. The colour is most often bay or brown, but greys, roans, and blacks exist. White occurs on the face, the legs, and the underside of the body to a greater degree than in Shire horses.

WORLDWIDE POPULARITY
Clydesdales have been exported around the world, though their white markings and the heavy feather can cause an eczema-type condition making them undesirable in hot wet conditions. They worked the Canadian and American prairies, and went on to earn the title "the breed that built Australia" for their work in mines, logging, farm work and heavy cart use.