Clydesdale what can you do with them - pictures and advice greatly appreciated

ClobellsandBaubles

ClobellsandBaubles

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I am going to start riding a lovely 6 yo gelding for a lady over the summer he is a very sweet forward going boy and has been a happy hacker really just wanted to see if any one has experience of the breed and any helpful pointers :D
 
I'm not lucky enough to own one of the fabulous horses but do know three people who have them. One of them does local dressage, SJ and XC and they have great fun. The other two mainly hack out and are quite a sight to behold. Stunning horses and their riders are always smiling which speaks volumes to me. Bet you can't wait to get started now!
 
My riding instructor has a clydesdale, he is huge, 100% gentle giant and school master. He does everything, showjumping, high level dressage and xc. His jump is huge! Although everytime I used to jump him id fall off because I could never get used to his jump.

My RI always says that if you can jump him, then you can jump anything.. I couldnt jump him lol. His jump he goes over to the jump, pulls back and then throws his whole body weight over the jump .. its not even a cat leap but he used to jump really well but that was how he jumped, so many people could get used to it but im used to more dainty types lol.

He is a fantastic boy and really helped me when I lost my confidence.

Hes started going blind in one eye now though so he cant jump or xc anymore, but hes still a fantastic dressage horse.
 
They are stunning horses! I would imagine that they can turn their hoof to anything you are interested in. Maybe start with some flatwork, a bit of showing if you are into that, and try some SJ next?
 
Don't know any clydesale but I share a shire x cob, he is fantastic to ride and amazing at lateral work. Also he has apparently got a fantastic jump in him xx
 
I have a beautiful Clyde boy. I just hack him but he can jump, it's me that's rubbish. He's worth his weight in gold, he's taught several friends to ride, can be a gentle hack or will step up with a more experienced rider. Very nice natured and loving.

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My pal has a clydesdale x tb and she does eventing with her, she is amazing to watch and has a massive jump.

They breed clydesdales and they do everything with them, my fave breed and am determined that I will own one day ( got Rosie and Bailey to enjoy first lol)
 
these guys are gorgeous i am very excited about the summer now :D
I used to ride a tb x clyde when i was younger as she was great and a machine xc although i looked like a pea on board
 
lara b said:
Beyond adorable!
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Thank you, he really is a gem of a horse. I started riding him as a just backed 6 year old, schooled him over that summer and was given him about a year later. His owner had 2 other horses and was moving and asked if I'd like to keep him....er yeah. :D
 
we have 4 clydies at work and they get treated like royalty hehe they are gorgeous :) I have ridden the biggest one monty and found him so gentle to ride haha his trot felt very slow though.... he is used to just pulling the carriage though and the begginer treks. The look on the customers faces as you shout out their horses name and you have the big 17.2hh + clydie in your hand is priceless :)
 
you are so lucky :) i have been wanting one for ages, they seem to be really genuine horses. a local woman has one and she takes it to the local shows and does loads there. its really funny to watch peoples faces when they see her going round the SJing. :D
 
I have a clydesdale I am breaking and a clydesdale X TB who is broken and have had 11 years now.

They are very clever horses and can turn their hooves to most things I have found, I have loose jumped the young one up to 90cm and he has a lot of scope, they move very nicely in a dressage arena and of course you can always show them if you are near any clydesdale showing classes. For such a large horse people seem to find them surprising agile.

Pics as requested:-
Ted the youngster
Schooling
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Hacking
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Loose jumping
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Showing pony
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Clydesdales have surprised many folk in their jumping but they are very clever, agile and powerful beasties. And I wish you the best of luck, they are fantastic :D
 
Hi, I love Clydesdales, so your pictures are all amazing. They are brilliant to ride and such loveable souls, I remember one who used to follow me all aroud the field when I poo picked, she was great company. Oh you are all so lucky to own one.:)
 
Lovely animals. Never met a bad one. We have a lot of breeders round here. I was cuddleing a 7day old filly last week. So cute!

However some of them are just too big and heavy for their own good and they break down quickly :( Especially the very heavy, very cowhocked ones.
 
This is my Clydesdale x, he is an absulute angel, anyones ride and will do pretty much anything asked of him :) Love him so much (excuse slight picture overload) My boy can be a bit lazy sometimes but when you ride him properly it's very rewarding, has a habit of being a bit on the forehand which I do think is fairly common in the breed. His temperament is fabulous though :)

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Beautiful horses. Had the good fortune when I was younger to be friendly with a Clydesdale breeder in the village. He had an artic specially converted so that he could show them.
I used to ride his other horses but the Clydesdales were absolute gentle giants and loved to be fussed over.
 
What a lot of fantastic pictures!! My big boy is Clydesdale x WB and is a total star!! But I agree with the poster who said you have to be careful as they can breakdown. My boy was a dressage diva but did both hind suspensories and is now a happy hacker. BUT what a horse!!! And yes - I would have another one like a shot! You cannot beat them for temperament! My boy at 17.1 and very chunky is quite happy and reliable enough for my friend's petite 8 year old daughter to take in the school and potter about! And he's loved by absolutely everyone!!!
 
I've been looking for a Clydesdale or Clydesdale X to loan or share for ages, so your very lucky to have found/been offered one to ride.
They are beautiful, kind and very intelligent, Yes there are dopes on ropes but there are many that are fantastic at jumping, dressage, hacking, showing etc.
Have a fantastic summer on a fantastic horse.
 
JessPickle - your boy is GORGEOUS!! My drafty ISH is forehandy as well, think it's a draft horse thing... makes sense when you consider that they're bred for pulling.

A family friend breeds beautiful Clydies and she's nice enough to let me ride them whenever I'm up home. I've found them very responsive to ride and very genuine, lovely personalities :)
 
Trish C said:
JessPickle - your boy is GORGEOUS!! My drafty ISH is forehandy as well, think it's a draft horse thing... makes sense when you consider that they're bred for pulling.
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Thank you :) yeah does make sense, have to switch him between his snaffle and waterford to try and keep him together.
 
I have started riding mine and she will be competing in Dressage through the winter and in the ridden Clydesdale classes through summer months.

She is really kind and easy to ride. She does jump though I'm no longer so keen.

I also plan to learn to drive her and compete in the working classes at Clydesdale shows.

Great to hack as nothing phases her. Comfortable and with a good turn of speed when required. Not a priority for her though she prefers a quiet leisurely life.
 
I had a fab Clydesdale x tb - she was the best horse I have ever had. I bought her from a hunting yard - chucked out in a field for the summer next to pond - she had sweet itch and was rubbed raw!

Bless after a few months of TLC, we were in stunning condition (thanks to Rambo dust buster - they hadn't developed the sweet - itch hoody)

She gave me so much confidence jumping (I'm a chicken) that we went from poles on the ground to Jumping Affiliated British Novice/Discovery in two months!

She always went on a long one! My advanced eventer friend did a british novice on her and took out just about every jump! lol I had one Pole!

Just proves that you have to get used to them....

I would have another any day
 
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