Anyone own a Clydesdale?

I also have heard they are not that amazing weight carriers but 16 stone is not really that heavy so I should think it would be fine and agree a short coupled one would be extra good :-) I think one of the horses I first learnt to ride on was one called Bob and a very docile, willing and sane chap he was too.
 
they are high maintenance, if you want to ride them all year round and they are pretty fit they will need clipping. Mine was clipped all year round and was hunting fit in the winter and kept in work in the summer and needed clipping. excellent breed though. Go anywhere do anything.
 
Tizzy said:
Some gorgeous photos on here. I think we need some more though:D
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This mare is ID x Clyde. Only 16hh and just 6 yr old.
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She is kind and very very intelligent. Not had her long but so far so good, although her intelligence would not make her a mugs companion just yet. I am hoping she will do a few maxi cob classes and be a general all rounder. I also think, put to a big quality blood horse she would throw a nice middleweight hunter.
 
We owned a pure Clyde for 12+ years before he was put down due to severe colic in May, 2010. A kinder, more willing, companionable, comedic, loving character one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere. He's left a huge hole in our hearts even now, two years since we lost him. We were rank novices when we acquired Thunder (the name with which he came). Although we don't ride, he taught us so very much about life with horses in general and giants in particular. He loved the company of people, horses, donkeys, sheep (he groomed ours regularly), cats, dogs. He was broken to ride, and, while neither of us ever sat on him, I was told riding him was like sitting in an arm chair.

I don't agree that Clydes are slab-sided. I've know so many over the last decade that are well-sprung with a proper covering of flesh that any slab-sided ones must be in the minority.

Thunder moved effortlessly with much more freedom in the shoulder than most of my Shires. He had considerable reach and drive with a lightness not usually associated with heavy horses. If I could find another like him, I snap him/her up in a heart-beat.
 
If I could find a way to upload without photobucket I would gladly add more photos of my pair of hooligans.

Yes the Clyde X TB can be a very good cross but mine came out with weak joints, have heard of it happening to some apparently you are better putting a clydesdale mare to a TB stallion. My chap was a clydesdale stallion over a TB mare.

16st would not be an issue, I think that it is either 16 or 17st they capped the weight limit at the heavy horse place. :)
 
Kaylum said:
they are high maintenance, if you want to ride them all year round and they are pretty fit they will need clipping. Mine was clipped all year round and was hunting fit in the winter and kept in work in the summer and needed clipping. excellent breed though. Go anywhere do anything.
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Its very cold and wet most of the time in Scottish Highlands so never had to clip anything so far, but yes I agree they seem to be a versatile horse, especially for the stuff we do, which is hacking plodding about BHS Trek and Parelli stuff. She is very trusting so we hope to explore the Drover tracks in the area.
 
Sorry to reinvigorate on old thread, I don't know how I missed it!! Loving some fab pics of some fab ponies!
I have a Clydesdale and they are amazing animals; I seriously don't know why more people don't have them. BP is 9 yo and I've had him for 3 years. He is the epitomy of an allrounder.
We show
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we jump
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we even do stuff most horses wouldn't
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They aren't the cheapest to keep but they are worth it. When you know where to look tack, etc is not actually too bad.
If you are after a weight carrying one just look closely at confirmation as they're bred to pull not carry. BP has a long back and really can't take the weights people assume he can being 18.2hh heavyweight.
 
I've had 2 Clydie mares - both fabulous horses, both bombproof, good at nannying others. One once took her own companion and 2 perfect strangers past a large bus on a very narrow road. The other stood at a x-road at the top of a hill when a group of 3 others were supposed to be trotting on behind her as one rider was nervous about passing a hazard. the other 3 stopped and she called to them all to catch up (nervous rider wouldn't).
The first one must have been born in the 60s, had been driven in a previous home and lived to be almost 40 according to vet. We bought her from a RS for a novice 6'2 large rugby player. We did need to remind her about manners at feeding time when we got her but otherwise she was just about perfect.
The other hated the farrier and was never shod but did develop abscesses - she ahd to be sedated even to have her feet trimmed. She made us laugh when she went to fetch the old lady at tea-time. Grumpy old lady made us laugh too. Unfortunately she had to be pts aged 11 after a rectal prolapse. As she was the 2nd Heavy horse we had pts prematurely, we decided not to have another, as we feel that the small gene pool leaves them open to illnesses.
I'd love AA's Martha, though.
 
I have just brought a Clydesdale, he is lovely, however, I am concerned about the power he has, I realise that if any horse wants to take off they will but was wondering if anyone can recommend a bit?
 
kstoyle said:
I have just brought a Clydesdale, he is lovely, however, I am concerned about the power he has, I realise that if any horse wants to take off they will but was wondering if anyone can recommend a bit?
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I use a jointed snaffle, but she stops to my voice! TBH, if a Clydesdale is going to go, there isn't a bit that would stop it, I personally would go with the mildest possible, and trust him! :)
 
smokey said:
I use a jointed snaffle, but she stops to my voice! TBH, if a Clydesdale is going to go, there isn't a bit that would stop it, I personally would go with the mildest possible, and trust him! :)
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Thank you for the fast responce, do you own a clydesdale? If you do, do you have shoes on?

I have read different things? I am lightly hacking but there is road work to get anywhere
 
I'm a big fan of adjustable bits on heavies. Part of it is the driver in me but I like a bit you can change on the fly like kimblewicks and liverpools/Elbows. Keep it on the snaffle for normal activities but if they get strong drop it down a bar/put it on a slot/tighten the chain/ reverse the mouthpiece until they remember their manners then back to the "mild" setting. Keeps things nice and simple and it is no fun when you're out and about and a heavy decides this is the time to try out taking a hold, a behavior that is even more important to nip in the bud when it's from a big'un!
 
Agree with HumBugsey, mine is in a NS universal on the snaffle in the school, and dropped down to bottom ring with a leather curb for the exciting stuff.
 
kstoyle said:
Thank you for the fast responce, do you own a clydesdale? If you do, do you have shoes on?

I have read different things? I am lightly hacking but there is road work to get anywhere
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Hi there, yes I do have a Clydesdale. She's 9 yrs old, and I've had her since weaning. She was shod, but took the shoes off 3 yrs ago as she really doesn't need them. Like you, light hacking, and am slowly breaking her to drive, in a snaffle! She is a fantastic, trustworthy girl, never puts a foot wrong, although I do, often! If I was you I'd stay barefoot and just see how she is, if your not doing a lot of roadwork, or riding on abrasive surfaces she should be fine. Mine has feet of steel! :). Enjoy, they are the loveliest natured horses ever.
 
Me, me, me - I have a beautiful 9year old mare who I've owned since she was weaned.

I LOVE HER TO BITS

As a yearling at her first show - she beat 15 others including some adult Heavies
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At two years old clipped out and plaited to show the versatility as progeny at the North Island Stallion Parade
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With first foal Milo by a holsteiner and at his first show aged 4 weeks
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My favourite photo - searching for peppermints
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With me on board
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At Horse of The Year with a friends daughter on board
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