" Scotland's breed of heavy horse, as its name suggest, originated in that area of Lanarkshire through which the Clyde river runs. Today's Clydesdale, which developed more recently than the other british heavy breeds, began to evolve during the second half of the eighteenth century wen imported Flemish stallion were used to improve the stock, desendend from pack animals, of local farmers."
"Shire blood was used in the breed's developement- indeed the two leading Clydesdale breeder during the second half of the nineteenth century, Lawrence Drew and David Riddell, believed the Clydesdale and Shire to be of the same origine, and regularly interbred the two. The Clydesdale Horse Society was formed in 1877 and the first stud book was published the following year. By this time interest in the breed had spread to other countries and Clydesdale were soon being exported, often in large numbers, to work the vast wheatland of North America; other went to Australia, South America and Russia. It was, without doubt, the Clydesdale's docile nature combined with elegance and great activity that endeared it to heavy horse enthusiasts all over the world. Describing his action, The breed society says that the inside of every shoe should be made visible to anyone walking behind. The Clydesdale is an exeptionally sound horse, great emphasis having always been placed on good limbs and feet." |
