Teachable Moment

the Teachable Moment

What is the History of the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses?

The origin of the special Clydesdale breed begins in 1826, along the River Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland, from whence eventually came their name Clydesdale. The local farmers were in great need of strong horses for hauling, plowing, and carting all the necessary farm equipment. The Duke of Hamilton imported six Great Flemish Horses, usually used as war horses and for farm work, and bred them to local mares, and the Clydesdale breed was born.

The early Clydesdales were more powerful than any breed available before. Their hauling power attracted North American brewers because a brewer’s success was directly related to how far his draft horses could pull a load in one day.

To qualify for the world-famous eight-horse hitch, Budweiser Clydesdales must stand at 18 hands high (about 6 feet) and weigh approximately 2,000 pounds. They must be geldings, bay in color, have four white legs and a blaze of white on the face, as well as a black mane and tail. As these horses meet millions of people each year, they must have a gentle temperament.

In 1933, after national Prohibition ended, the Budweiser Clydesdales became a part of Anheuser- Busch Brewing Company when August Anheuser Busch, Sr., received the Clydesdale horses pulling a red, white, and gold beer wagon as a gift. Realizing the advertising and promotional potential of a horse-drawn beer wagon, the company formally introduced the Budweiser Clydesdales to the nation on April 7, 1933, in St. Louis, MO. They now travel in style aboard custom designed tractor-trailers to hundreds of appearances each year throughout North America and occasionally overseas to meet millions of cheering crowds. Clydesdales are also used as animal actors in television commercials for Budweiser beer, and especially in Super Bowl ads.