Clydesdales :-)

pistolpete

pistolpete

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I’ve decided not to get another horse YET but I am still riding occasionally. Today I rode a Clydie and oh my goodness was he lovely. Polite forward going not a plod super comfy canter. Never really thought about them before as always thought they were super tall. This chap was 16hh. Not purebred? He was older and in a riding school but such a sweetie. Tell me about your Clydesdales. I’m impressed.
 
I have had 2, both lovely mares but I won't be having another. The first one lived to a grand old age but the 2nd one had to be pts aged 11, she had an internal tumour which caused a rectal prolapse. It seems to me that because of the much smaller gene pool, Clydies are being bred with health defects. I haven't heard of any/many that have lived into old age recently, sadly.
They were both brilliant nannies to other horses, frightened of very little, excellent in traffic and lovely with novice riders.
 
Anyone who has followed my ups and downs on here knows a) I'm nervous b) I'm novice and c) I'm a pony girl through and through. I rode this fella, on my honeymoon to Scotland this summer, he was 18 2. First 15 mins were 'oh god it's a long way down' and the next two hours were a blast. I never felt more comfortable on a horse in my life. I rode a lot of horses that holiday and he won the horse I'd most like to take home by a mile. Please ignore my hand position, it was taken during the nervous beginning.
 

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Mine is a Clyde QH cross and my god he is the best horse I’ve ridden hands down. He can go all day, is willing to try anything. One of the best behaved at the barn and so smart. I’m not gonna lie though he does have some health problems. RAO and terrible feet that cost a fortune. But he’s given me so much confidence and he gets and incredible amount of comments and offers.
 
I LOVE them. I ride one quite often in my lessons - he's young but absolutely gorgeous and so willing and tries so hard. His paces are so comfy, but his canter especially. I've ridden at Cumbria Heavy Horses and Adventure Clydesdale and both are fab. The shoeing bill though...!!
 
Years ago a friend had a Clydesdale x TB mare. She had a great jump and was a cracking eventer. She was also very steady in traffic so a great allrounder. I wanted something similar when looking for a horse but somehow ended up with a Welsh D ..................
Not quite sure what happened there!
 
Clyde's are the best horses ever ❤❤❤❤
I only don't have one now as my field landlord would have a nosebleed ???
Clydesdales can be from around 16hh plus so easily a purebred at that height....don't forget, most plough type horses were ever originally bred to be as tall as they are now.
 
There was a great programme earlier this year/end of last about the lady in Glasgow/Lanarkshire who is working with breed society to improve the bloodlines..importing bloodlines from America (originally from Scotland) to do so. Memory is failing me as to whether it was stv or bbc programme but it was fascinating. OH would have a couple in a heartbeat if we had our own land.
 
Midlifecrisis said:
There was a great programme earlier this year/end of last about the lady in Glasgow/Lanarkshire who is working with breed society to improve the bloodlines..importing bloodlines from America (originally from Scotland) to do so. Memory is failing me as to whether it was stv or bbc programme but it was fascinating. OH would have a couple in a heartbeat if we had our own land.
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I saw this! I think it must have been BBC as I caught it by chance and I'm in NI? I thought it was very interesting, but I couldn't believe after all the expense and time involved the mare was left to foal alone and nearly got into difficulties. I think they had a camera set up to be fair but still missed it, as far as I recall, but my memory could be failing me there.
 
I have ridden with adventure clydesdale on Dartmoor, its quite local. The first one I rode was really a nice ride for me, quite neat and narrow and had super paces and 100% comfortable. the second one was very big! He was really too wide for me and I didn't feel nearly so comfortable, though he was a really nice horse temperament wise. As an observer I would say that you could have a lot of fun with a Clydesdale, when fit they go like heck and are super careful with their feet on all terrains. It's a lot of horse to feed though!
 
We have a clydesdale mare at the rescue, she's got one hell of a personality. No "gentle giant" nonsense from her, she is absolutely wicked with other horses ? Lovely with people though if she trusts you and you're not the farrier, will follow you round the paddock asking for scritches, will sometimes allow a hug.

She is not a healthy girl, how much of that was her previous living situation and how much is genetics is hard to tell really but she can't catch a break at all, there is always something. She is beautiful though!
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They can be fairly small, 16.2 used to be the standard height. A lot of the old boys say anything over 17hh is ‘feeding fresh air and legs,’ and certainly the smaller ones are better for ploughing!

I had an 18.2 and would have another in a heartbeat. He didn’t make old bones - he was only 20 - but it’s worth shopping around and looking at the bloodlines. Some are healthier than others, and if you can get something with a recent American or Canadian cross, you lessen the inbreeding issues.

They are the friendliest, kindest horses but very spirited and I wouldn’t say they’re a novice ride - I’ve helped pick up the pieces from two separate ones that had been sold as first horses and caused havoc.
 
I feel this thread is my time to shine...
I fell into heavy horses and 12 years ago my first "pony" arrived... an 18hh 6yo clydesdale gelding. I can honestly say I haven't looked back. There is nothing I haven't been able to try with him: we evented (only up to 80cm but I'm not jumper); we drag hunted; we showed to county level and then we took up dressage. Over the course of 4 years we went from basic w,t,c to working medium and starting our changes. His temperament and trainability was exemplary and he had a real desire to work. He has gone on to be a lead rein pony for my kids, has been invited to perform demos at all sorts of places and generally has proven that, they might be big, but Clydesdales can do anything.
I'm struggling to add pictures today but there are hundreds on www.facebook.com/arclidalfie and www.facebook.com/dressageclydesdale
I had a short daliance with a shire horse who didn't have the same level head on his shoulders and now I'm back with both feet in Team Clydesdale with my newest project Baby Ace, a 17hh 5yo clydie who is showing a lovely attitude and lots of promise.
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deb_l222 said:
Best horses in the world...................but I am slightly biased :)

Tommy (below) is a long time dead now but I would have a field full of Clydes if I had more time.........and money!!

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If this is the same Tommy, I rode him back in 2008... Gorgeous boy and a real joy to ride.
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Shilasdair said:
Out of curiosity - how much would a 17hh 5yo broken and ridden away Clydie cost to buy at the moment?
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I paid £5k for mine this spring. 17hh, very green but riding away 5yo (hadn’t had 5th birthday when bought). He was an absolute steal though, I was looking for 6 months before I found this one and most were in the £6-9k category.
 
@Tullyandtinyrider here! https://www.facebook.com/Tullyandtinyrider

I had to suddenly retire my Warmblood at 13 and I had always wanted a Clyde so though 'feck it' and bought one. £4000 3 years ago for an unbroken 3 year old.

He is just awesome. The best hack - happy plodding along, or bounding on in trot or tonking off in canter - all at request. I'm hoping to get to at least Advanced Medium dressage with him. I just adore him.
 
My yard neighbour has a clyde x cob mare at 16.3hh. She isn't always an easy mare on the ground, but her paces are.lovely and she clearly adores work.
 
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