No horse breed represents Christmas more than the Clydesdale! Maybe it’s because of the wonderful Budweiser commercials we’ve all enjoyed over the years, or their beauty as they pull wagons bearing gifts of the holiday season that delight us!

All About Clydesdales

The Clydesdale horse was originally developed in Scotland, in the Clyde valley after which they are named. Flemish stallions were imported to mate with local draft mares in the 18th century, with the first use of the word “Clydesdale” as a horse breed recorded in 1826. After this, Shire blood was introduced in the 19th century; and a breed society was introduced in 1877. They were then exported to Australia, New Zealand, and America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Hard Working Horses

They were used primarily for farm work…

and to work on World Wars l and ll battlefields, where the breed experienced heavy losses. By the 1970s the Clydesdale horse breed found itself listed as “At Risk” with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust – a status which endures to this day and means that there are fewer than 1500 breeding mares of the Clydesdale horse breed.

Vital Statistics

The Clydesdale stands 16 to 18 hands, with the average being 16.2, and weighs 1,500 -2,200 pounds. The biggest Clydesdale on record is Remington from the USA, who measured 20 hands in 2009 and was once the tallest living horse in the world. Clydesdales generally live to be 25 to 30 years old.

Remington

Versatile

Besides their beauty and gentle nature, the Clydesdale is celebrating versatility on the trail and in the show ring.

Willow Grove Farm & Stables

Stoblee Zac & Isla Miller. The World Clydesdale Show

Classic City Clydesdales

Learn more at Clydesdale Breeders Of The USA

Acting Up!

Nothing has made the Clydesdale breed more endearing than the Budweiser beer commercials. After skipping Superbowl ads featuring the Clydesdales and their Yellow Lab puppy friend, fan pressure convinced them to come to their senses and revive the iconic team for Superbowl 2024.

Merry Christmas to all of our Barngoddess friends!

— The Barngoddess

#25 The Friesian

Straight from the Netherlands. A favorite of Martha Stewart and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry! And honestly, who can resist that flowing mane?

#24 The Marwari Horse

A proud Indian breed with those famous inward-curving ears. You can spot them from a mile away!

#23 Lipizzan

The iconic horse of the Spanish Riding School, known for classical dressage and gravity-defying movements.

#22 Arabian Horse

One of the oldest horse breeds in the world — tracing back to 3,000 BC. Classic, refined, and endlessly influential.

#21 The Knabstrupper

From Denmark and delightfully spotted. Basically the equine equivalent of a Dalmatian.

#20 The Fjord

Norway’s beloved, sturdy, and sweet all-purpose partner — equally at home in the saddle or on the farm.

#19 The Appaloosa

Every single one is a unique work of art. No two patterns alike!

#18 The Brumby

Australia’s wild horses — hardy, tough, and full of spirit.

#17 The Oldenburg

A German warmblood often praised for being incredibly willing and well-mannered.

#16 Shetland Pony

Compact, clever, sturdy… and winner of the Cuteness Champion title every year running.

# 15 Falabella

Another strong nominee for cutest equine on the planet — tiny, elegant, and full of personality.

#14 Yakut Horse

A Siberian survivor capable of withstanding temperatures that make the rest of us say, “No thanks.”

#13 Spanish Norman

Bred to recreate the mighty medieval warhorses of Europe. Think armor, lances, and pageantry.

#12 The Catria

An Italian treasure. Bellissimo indeed.

#11 The Comtois

France’s contribution to the list — a sturdy, handsome workhorse with unmistakable charm. Ooh La La!

#10 The Morgan

Famous for forming strong bonds and said to “imprint” on their people.

#9 The Menorquin

A dramatic, ebony-coated Spanish breed that comes in black only. Pure elegance.

#8 The Shire

The gentle giants of the horse world — calm, massive, and awe-inspiring!

#7 The Hanoverian

A top choice in the world of dressage and sport horses — athletic, trainable, and refined.

#6 Dutch Warmblood

Built from a blend of Gelderlander, Groningen, Oldenburg, Thoroughbred, Selle Français, and Holsteiner bloodlines. A true sport-horse cocktail.

#5 Mustang

True American icons. Their name is said to translate roughly to “wild, masterless cattle.” Free spirits through and through.

#4 The Andalusian

A Spanish classic, celebrated since the 14th century. Bold, expressive, and stunning in motion.

#3 The Haflinger

A warm golden coat with a light mane — originating in Austria and northern Italy. Adorable and incredibly reliable.

#2 The Gypsy Vanner

(According to Pirate, this should be #1.)
Feathered legs, kind eyes, and old-world charm — what’s not to love?

And Now… Their #1 Pick!

Akhal-Teke

Famous for its metallic sheen thanks to transparent hair shafts. A shimmering horse unlike any other.

Okay…I will admit that I have never heard of some horse breeds in this list. Hats off to you if you know them all! Missing For me is the American Saddlebred …

The Duke of Denver (& ME!)
- The Barngoddess

The American Saddlebred became a recognized breed evolving from the Kentucky Saddler to the Saddle Horse in the 1800s. This breed was created combining Thoroughbred and Trotting Horse foundation sires that crossed with Canadian Pacers, Hackneys and Morgan Horses.  By the mid-1800s, the Kentucky Saddler had come to be called the Saddlebred, and was one of the most popular breeds in the East.

Civil War Horses

When the Civil War began in 1861, Saddlebreds carried soldiers and generals into the fighting. General Robert E. Lee’s  horse “Traveller” is legendary. During the Battle of Spotsylvania, a Union cannonball was fired, and Traveller, Lee’s horse, reacted by rearing up, causing the cannonball to pass harmlessly underneath him!

There is controversy about General Grant’s horse who was named Cincinnati. Some say he was a Saddlebred, others a Thoroughbred…what do you think?

The breed’s involvement in the war was of great importance, both during and after the conflict. Historians believe the Saddlebred was valuable in helping the South recover from the war. 

Hollywood Horses

One of Hollywood’s most prolific equine stars was Highland Dale. He starred in one of the many versions of “Black Beauty”. He continued acting for the silver screen in “Gypsy Colt”, “Giant”, “Wild is the Wind”, “The Return of Wildfire”, and many others movie and TV roles. Highland Dale won Pasty Awards, which are given to the animals as Oscars are to people. The horse won awards for his roles in “Wild is the Wind”, “Gypsy Colt” and “Fury”.

Gone With The Wind

Ashley Wilkes (played by Leslie Howard) to rode off to the Civil War on was a 3-gaited show horse named Anacacho Rebel.

Star Trek Generations

William Shatner With “Great Bells of Fire” 

And Who Could Forget”

On With The Show!

Saddlebreds are known for their elegant appearance and smooth gaits. Sometimes referred to as the “peacock of the horse world,” they are popular in the show ring, and parade route. They excel in combined driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, western dressage, jumping, and more. The American Saddlebred is the perfect horse for the whole family to enjoy as companions and trail horses as well! 

American Saddlebreds have slim, arched necks and graceful ears, with large eyes and alert expressions that enhance their elegant appearance. Their heads should be well-shaped with a straight profile.

The ideal Saddlebred has a well-portioned body, sloping shoulders, well-sprung ribs, defined withers, a strong back, a level croup, and correct legs. Most Saddlebreds also have a high tail carriage, adding to their characteristic look.

Height: 15-17 hands

Weight: 900-1,000 lbs.

Color: American Saddlebred can have any coat color, including pinto.

Saddlebreds are gaited horses. The Three-Gaited horse walks, trots, and canters.

The Five-Gated horse performs these in addition to the Slow Gait and Rack.

They compete in five primary divisions: Five-Gaited, Three-Gaited, Fine Harness, Park, and Pleasure. In these divisions, they are judged on performance, manners, presence, quality, and conformation.

Sensitive and Intelligent

Saddlebreds are great with children and make wonderful members of the family!

Personal Experience

My first horse was an American Saddlebred, “Odds Golddigger” affectionately known as “Wimsey.” He was my Heart Horse!

His sire was World Grand Champion “Superior Odds.”

I was taught to ride by a wonderful horsewoman, Harriet Himmelstine, of Riverview Valley Stables in Pittsburgh.

Although showing was never my big dream, I did make the rounds in some local shows.

But more than anything, Wimsey was a friend and companion.

I had another wonderful adventure learning to drive with a horse I called “Lovejoy.” Looks like I was having fun!

Life Moved On…

And so did these wonderful horses. Which brings me to my last Saddlebred, “Next Sunday” AKA “The Duke of Denver.”

Denver and I were together for over twenty years and have experienced both good and not-so-good times. We’ve been through injuries, colic, and Lyme Disease. So, if he’s taught me anything, it’s strength, perseverance, and trust in God’s ultimate wisdom. Denver passed away on October 30th, 2025.

Hopefully, I will be blessed with another wonderful Saddlebred in the future!

#1 It Is The Official Horse Of Ireland

The Irish Draught Horse traces its roots back to the late 1700s. Its origins are thought to include the now-extinct Irish Hobby, a small and hardy horse brought to Ireland by the Celts around 500 BC.

Over time, these native horses were crossed with larger Norman horses and later influenced by Connemara ponies, Spanish breeds, Thoroughbreds, and possibly even Clydesdales. The result was a versatile, powerful horse suited to Ireland’s landscape and agricultural needs.

#2 It Was Bred For Farm Work

The Irish Draught was developed as a true working horse. It plowed fields, pulled carts, and served as an all-purpose farm animal. But unlike many draft breeds, it retained enough athleticism to serve as a capable riding horse and foxhunter.

#3 It Proved Its Value in Wartime

During World War I, Irish Draughts were valued for their strength and soundness, contributing to the war effort in both agricultural and transport roles.

#4 It Helped Create The Irish Sport Horse

One of the Irish Draught’s greatest contributions to modern sport is its role in producing the Irish Hunter or Irish Sport Horse. When crossed with Thoroughbreds, the result is a versatile athlete prized in foxhunting, eventing, show jumping, and dressage. The Draught contributes bone, temperament, and durability, while the Thoroughbred adds speed and refinement. 

#5 It Is A Middleweight Draft

Stallions typically stand between 15.3 and 16.3 hands, with mares slightly smaller. The breed is powerful but not excessively heavy, built to balance strength and agility.

#6 Color Was Never the Priority

Most Irish Draughts appear in solid colors such as bay, grey, chestnut, black, brown, or dun. Historically, selection focused on soundness and work ethic rather than flashy markings.

While not as common, other colors like roan, buckskin, champagne, cremello, palomino, perlino, and grullo can also occur.

#7 Bone and Soundness Define the Breed

The Irish Draught is known for strong, clean bone and powerful hindquarters. These traits make it especially valuable in breeding programs aimed at producing durable sport horses. Their body is well muscled. They have a broad forehead and long ears. Their head is described as “smooth and pleasant.”

#8 They Have A Reputation for Intelligence and Temperament

Often described as sensible and willing, the Irish Draught is considered suitable for a wide range of riders. Its steady mind is one of the breed’s defining strengths.

#9 A Breed Worth Protecting

 The Irish Draught is considered an “endangered maintained” breed by the Food and Agriculture Committee of the United Nations. Conservation organizations such as The Livestock Conservancy have listed it on their Watch list, and breeding programs continue working to preserve genetic diversity while maintaining traditional traits.

#10 You Can Still Find Purebreds Today

Organizations like the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America (IDHSNA) maintain breeder directories, stallion listings, and registry information. Whether seeking a purebred Irish Draught or an Irish Sport Horse, buyers can begin their search through official society networks.