New Zealand Introduced Animals > Clydesdale Horse

Clydesdale Horse

Domesticated Livestock – Rare Breed

ORIGIN: Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the valley of the Clyde River.

BREED DESCRIPTION: One of the largest breeds of horses, Clydesdale are bred to be well built, with good flat bones and joints. They have powerful forward movement and mild temperaments. The most common colours are bay and brown, usually with a white face or ‘blaze’ and lots of white on the lower legs.

USE IN NEW ZEALAND: Imported to New Zealand as early as 1849 for the purpose of working the farmland and cartage of heavy loads. Today they are bred to preserve the breed and for show purposes.

GENERAL: The increasing use of the tractor after WW1 saw the steady decline of Clydesdales in New Zealand. In the early 1990’s the Clydesdales popularity soared once more, securing its future in New Zealand. The “DB Draught Clydesdales” were particularly responsible for bringing the breed back into the spotlight. The spectacular brewery team of rare, black horses with white legs, travelled all over New Zealand for fourteen years, and now operates in private ownership as the Pirongia Clydesdales.


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