Can You Ride a Clydesdale Horse?

Clydesdales are one of the largest horse breeds worldwide, standing between 16 hands and 18 hands tall (66-72 inches at their withers).

Their strong, sturdy build allows them to pull carriages and carry heavy loads with ease. Furthermore, they are renowned for their showy good looks and laid-back personalities.

Size

Clydesdales are a large breed of horse with an illustrious past. Bred in Lanarkshire, Scotland and originally designed to pull heavy loads on farm equipment, these majestic beasts have had an illustrious existence.

These horses can reach a height of over 18 hands, making them one of the tallest horse breeds worldwide. They boast powerful hooves and stand out with their four white legs covered in feathering.

They are also surprisingly docile, making them perfect for beginner riders to learn the fundamentals of riding. Although they require a high level of fitness and stamina to ride well, they aren’t too bulky or heavy for most people to handle comfortably.

To move a Clydesdale, you must hold their rein firmly against your hip with no slack and apply pressure slightly behind the girth to get them flexed towards you. Once your horse has acknowledged that pressure is being applied and their back legs have begun moving toward you, reward them with praise.

Weight

Clydesdale horses are renowned for their strength and capacity to pull heavy loads. Individually, they can carry up to 2,000 pounds; when teamed together, this amount doubles.

These large, muscular horses can reach heights of 18 hands (72 inches). Males often weigh in at over 2,200 pounds, making them one of the world’s largest breeds.

These large horses can be ridden on the ground, but they’re a little difficult to get up onto and off of. Furthermore, their stirrups are high-set which makes it hard for your foot to enter or exit them.

Clydesdale horses can be ridden on the trail, provided you’re comfortable sitting atop such an enormous animal and know how to properly mount and dismount it. Unfortunately, these big horses lack width like other draft breeds do; thus it may be challenging to navigate thin trails or between trees when riding one.

Gait

The Clydesdale is a large horse developed in Lanarkshire district of Scotland near the River Clyde. This breed boasts an impressive power and sure-footed gait, making them perfect for hauling or driving duties.

Clydesdale horses were once a common choice for hauling coal and pulling wagons, but as machinery replaced horses’ labor in industry and agriculture, their numbers began to decrease. After World War I, thousands of Clydesdales were conscripted into service as conscripted soldiers; breeders then stopped breeding the horse altogether.

Unfortunately, the Clydesdale population is now facing imminent danger. Estimates place their numbers between 900-1,000 in the United States and less than 10,000 worldwide.

If you’re interested in riding a Clydesdale, search out a barn that offers these rides. Alternatively, some trail riding facilities provide rides on these magnificent animals.

Training

Clydesdale horses are a large horse breed. They can be used for many different activities such as riding, driving and even therapy.

They are also known for their gentle dispositions. They do not spook easily and make excellent pets to train.

Their calm and level-headed temperaments make them a great mount for riders of all abilities. Plus, these friendly creatures enjoy spending time with people.

In the early 1700s, Scotland developed the Clydesdale breed by importing Flemish stallions and breeding them with local Galloway mares. This produced a heavy, sure-footed horse with an easy ride at any pace – whether walking, trotting or cantering.

Clydesdale feet should be wide and open, with no evidence of hardness or formation of side bones or ringbones. Their long pasterns should set out at an angle of 45 degrees from the hoof head to the fetlock joint.