Sunday, June 21, 2020

Horses and Ponies from the Celtic Regions: The Clydesdale


The Clydesdale, slightly smaller, more elegant, and less feather than that of a Shire, is a true native of Lanarkshire, Scotland (the old name of Lanarkshire is Clydesdale). Surprisingly, the actual breed isn't very ancient. The ancestor, the Flemish Great Horse, was imported during eighteenth century as war horses and for farm work. Eventually, the Flemish Great Horse mixed with local horses to create the Clydesdale - which became the official name in 1826. The Clydesdale Horse Society was founded in 1877. The breed suffered a decline when the tractor took over the farm work. But, they regained popularity with the promotion of the Budweiser beer company.
The height ranges from 16.1hh-18hh. The colors include Bay, Black, Grey, and Sabino. The example above displays the Sabino1 gene, which is a simple, lacy-edged pattern of white extending up from the underside with a characteristic white face. Polygenic Sabinos display a more roany effect that covers the entire body. Clydesdale breeders calls this pattern "Roan," but keep in mind that this is not the same color as the genetic True Roan (Rn).
Breyerfest's 2020 Store Special Benelli displays the typical pattern combination of Grey plus Sabino1.

References:
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks

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