What is the difference between shire and clydesdale

Clydesdales are also available in more colors than Shires. They have more feathering in the lower legs than those in Shires as well. In a word, those are the similarity and the difference between clydesdale and shire horses.

You may consult them to recognize two breeds when needed. Lastly, we hope the above comparison between Shire horse vs Clydesdale will help you to identify those two breeds easily, especially when deciding to own one. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. However, Shires tend to have bigger, broader builds, whereas Clydesdales tend to be slightly smaller, with a more refined build.

They are also one of the horse breeds with feathered hooves. Shires have a short, back with a deep shoulder, slightly arched neck, big hooves and well-muscled legs. They should have long, lean heads, large eyes with a slight Roman nose. Clydesdales have a muscular yet arched neck, moderately sloping shoulders, deep chest, short back, powerful legs and large, round hooves.

Their heads should be wide, yet proportional, with a flat face or occasionally a slight Roman nose and expressive eyes. They generally have docked tails, whereas Shires typically have natural tails. Shires can come in different colors including black, bay, brown, grey and on rare occasions chestnut.

Though Clydesdales are more often bay, they can also be roan, black and brown. Clydesdales often have white markings, but white markings are typically considered to be undesirable in Shires and are not as common. When it comes to size, Shires have a slight advantage. They can range anywhere from 16 hands to a whopping 19 hands, though the average is Clydesdales can stand anywhere from 16 hands to 18 hands, with most being about 17 hands.

Clydesdales weigh anywhere from 1,, pounds. Shires, on the other hand, weigh between 1,, pounds. Considered one of the best horse breeds for beginners , Shire horses are known for their docile, easy-going temperaments.

They are hardworking horses, which has made them excel as a cart and farm horse. Thanks to their gentle nature and willingness to work, they are still used for farm work, driving, logging and even riding. Being a cold blood horse breed , Clydesdales are known for their calm yet active, gentle temperaments.

They tend to be more animated in their movement than other draft breeds. Essentially what this disease does is cause hind leg muscle spasms. You can avert this problem by feeding your shire horse a diet that is high in fat. Because they are incredibly large draft horses, they can live up to 20 years or more, but their life spans are shorter than many other equines. These horses make a charming addition to farms looking for a physically healthy horse with the ability to handle incredible amounts of weight.

Because of their demeanor, they are also ideal riding horses that can train young riders. This Scottish breed comes from the county of Lancashire in Scotland. They were developed in the 18th century when breeders crossed Flemish stallions and local mares. Later, Shires were introduced into the mix as well. The breed also surged in popularity in Australia and New Zealand when they were exported from Scotland in the 20th century.

Though the breed is diligently protected, they still are considered rare. Olden day Clydesdales were much heavier than they are today.

Clydesdales in America is most well known for their Budweiser connections. This beer company took on Clydesdales as their mascot since Clydesdales are calm but energetic horses that are easy-going but always up for work.

They have a puppy spirit about them which makes them eager and ready to learn. Their level-headedness makes them compatible with people of all ages. While still massive in portions, the Clydesdale is slightly smaller than their draught cousins. These horses are considered slightly more compact in their build, although they are still solid and muscular. These horses usually stand between 16 and 18 hands high.

They can weigh between 1, to 2, pounds. Clydesdales have the classic feathering around their legs. Classically, Clydesdales are bay colored with Sabine pattern—but they can also be black, gray, and chestnut. They generally have white markings on the face and legs. There might also be white markings on the belly portion. Many early Clydesdales were used for hauling purposes as well as agriculture production. You might have also witnessed them logging or pleasure riding.

Clydesdales have become quite the horses in the limelight, given roles that require participation and many human activities. Many times you will see Clydesdales taking charge of carriages and parades showing off their beautiful majesty. Clydesdales can carry genetic health problems that are commonly seen in draft horses. They also suffer from what is called chronic progressive lymphedema , which is a disease that causes swelling of the limbs.

To prevent this issue from happening, you must keep this area and its hooves clean and dry. Clydesdales work best when they have work to do.