Clydesdales in Jacksonville

Almost everyone has heard of the Clydesdale horses that make an appearance in Super Bowl Commercials.  We were fortunate to see these horses at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Jacksonville.  The Budweiser Clydesdales make their home in a stable built in 1885 on the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis and frequently travel throughout the United States to different events in their 50 foot tractor trailers.  

The Clydesdale was a farm horse back in the early 19th center.  The horses were given this name by farmers in Lanarkshire, Scotland along the River Clyde who had imported Great Flemish horses and mated them with their local mares--thus the Clydesdale was born.  

Membership into the elite Budweiser Clydesdale club is very steep.  A horse aspiring this designation  be at least six feet tall, four years old, weight between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds and a gelding.  The coat must be bay in color including four white stockings and a blaze of white on its face.  Both the mane and tail must be black.   

A Dalmation rides alongside the driver atop the beer wagon.  Dalmatians were once used as coach dogs because of their speed, endurance and dependability as well as their ability to run between wheels of carriages and beer wagons.  

Check out that toothy smile!

Beautiful horses, Beautiful day!

Joy