Who owns and rides a pure bred Clydesdale?

cblover

cblover

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 October 2009
Messages
1,887
Visit site
Hi folks, anyone own a pure bred Clyde? I may have the chance to view a one at Matthew King's yard and I'm interested in seeing who else owns and rides a pure bred.

Pics would be good too and some info on their breeding. I'm trying to gain as much information as I can. I'm determined to get the job right this time! lol
 
I have a Clydesdale, unregistered, but pure bred. I've had her since she was 5and a half months old. She has the best nature ever. She was backed as a three yr old, and never put a foot wrong. She is probably just a bit over 17hh, have never measured her! She wears normal, xlarge tack,and normal rugs. Matthew king has a very good reputation as far as I know, sure you'll see lots you want!
 
Smokey she sounds a real poppet. I'm not sure whether I want to start again with a weanling or yearling. But I have a chance of seeing both if I visit Matthew Kings place. They have been so helpful on the phone. I did worry that the quality would be wasted on a non competition home like mine but they reassured me that many of their horses go as family friends.
 
Had a pure bred Clydesdale for many years rescued long time ago. She was the ultimate gentle giant. Eventually succumbed to old age.
Picking our registered 3yr old shire mare up next week so excited about that.
Excited for you too!
 
JJones, excited for you. Where are you getting yours from? Do you prefer a shire? I've always liked a Clyde better. What are your plans for your new arrival? Good luck.
 
I have had 2 unregistered Clydesdale mares. They were both absolutely fabulous hacks and brilliant at nannying other, more nervous horses.

The first one lived to be almost 40, according to the vet while, unfortunately, the 2nd one had to be pts aged 11. Having also lost a young Shire mare and a big ID aged 11, I decided that brilliant thought Clydesdales were, I would not have another such big horse again. However my 3 yr old "cob to make 16hh" seems to have some Clydesdale in her breeding and is already enormous. She definitely has inherited the placid take everyth9ing in her stride attitude of the Clydesdales from somewhere.

I once knew of a young Clydesdale gelding who was in a lesson in an outdoor arena on Bonfire Night and didn't turn a hair. The YO then found out that he wasn't as old as she had been told and sent him back to the breeder - aged rising 3!
 
In all honesty I would never entertain any other breed now since having my big lad.

Granted they are never going to set the world alight doing 4* cross country or grand prix show jumping but they are more than capable of tackling lower level stuff and there's plenty of successful dressage Clydes.

Contrary to popular belief, they're not plods or kick til ya numb horses. If they're brought up right and schooled correctly, they're just as responsive as any other horse. What you don't get though is DRAMA!! Life (in general) just isn't much of a worry for a Clydesdale - if they've seen it once or twice, then it becomes the norm.

Size is obviously something you learn to live with. Massive rugs, bridles, headcollars are like gold dust but can be found.

Speaking of size, they are a slow maturing breed and patience is a virtue when it comes to starting their ridden careers. Personally I wouldn't contemplate buying one that was backed under the age of 5 but that's just my opinion.

Matthew is a very knowledgable breeder and all his horses will have their breeding recorded. The mares and stallions will also be registered with the CHS (geldings aren't registered but their details are recorded in the stud book).

There's a cracking little Facebook group, The Great Scottish Clydesdale, that's actually really friendly (for Facebook) that may help you a lot. I can rattle on endlessly about Clydes as well if you want to PM me, feel free.

I sadly lost my boy a few weeks ago now but I shall post a gratuitous piccie of him anyway

4FA58FF0-4EA8-4DA6-8376-2B44F3A5D6C8.jpg
 
I'm so sorry for your loss....he's a big beauty. Will you replace him? I've asked to join the Scottish clydesdale Facebook group. I've love to chat more and will PM you. Thanks.
 
I broke in, rode and showed a pair of Clydesdales a few years ago. Great horses. One was a bit, lights on nobodies home, but an absolute dear and the most gorgeous paces. The other was a proper firecracker! He could jump, he was sharp as a tack and could spook almost as athletically as my tb! So I really wouldn't pigeonhole them at all.

Has great fun with them both though, although the latter one had a real terrible 5's stage (a bronking Clydesdale is no joke), and both were easy to break and very willing to school in general. However I did find both VERY trippy to start with, before their back ends caught up with their front ends, which led to some hairy moments hacking out on hills!

I remember putting my horse's 6'9 cooler on one of them after a bath one day, and the hilarity we had about the miniskirt ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top