Clydesdale horses are some of the most popular in America and for reason. The original Scottish breed is mainly for hauling luggage and their high-stepping gait makes them quite popular in the arena.
But, how much exactly does a Clydesdale horse cost? The initial price of a Clydesdale horse starts at about $1000 to about $25000. In the United States, most Clydesdale breeders and farmers will sell their equine for between $1000 and $5000. The most expensive Clydesdale horse fetched a whopping $212,500!
If you're planning to buy a horse, then we are providing you with a detailed guide on the initial cost as well as maintenance expenditures of a Clydesdale horse.
What is a Clydesdale Horse?
Have you heard of the draft horse? Well, a Clydesdale horse is the Scottish version of it and among the most preferred ones in the equine universe. As you may decipher from its name, it originated from Clydesdale in the 18th century.
Farmers who bred the Clydesdale years ago used it for various agricultural purposes. It provided draught power for transporting products by road and farming. Nowadays, this breed mainly serves as a carriage horse and shows in the driving and riding categories.
Clydesdale History
Lanarkshire, which was formerly known as Clydesdale, was home to the first Clydesdale horses. Their origin began with the importation of Flemish stallions to Scotland by the Duke of Hamilton. They bred them to local mares to create this larger and more powerful breed of horses.
John Paterson in Lochlyloch also imported another stallion to facilitate the creation of this horse breed. Within a few years, Clydesdale horses' popularity unbelievably soared, and more people were interested in them. In 1911, the 11-year-old stallion Baron of Buchlyvie was sold for £9,700, which was a high amount to pay for a horse back then.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Scotland exported many Clydesdales. In 1911, 1617 stallions were sold outside this country to various parts of the British Empire. Russia, Europe, North & South America also imported these stallions.
Australia was one of the countries that imported Clydesdales. From 1924 to 2008, there were about 25,000 Clydesdales in this country. This horse breed became so famous here that it was later dubbed "the breed that built Australia."
Even so, Clydesdales had become an endangered species by 2010 when there were around 5,000 of these horses worldwide.
Distinct features of a Clydesdale horse
Identifying a Clydesdale horse is a breeze. Below are the unique features of this gentle horse breed.
Weight
Most Clydesdales weigh between 1,600 and 2,200 pounds. As with all animals, they have transformed over the years and are not as heavy as they were centuries ago. But they still feature strong muscles and are extremely powerful.
Appearance
The Clydesdale comes with a somewhat bulging facial profile, a bowed neck, an inclined shoulder, high withers, and feathery tails. Most of these horses boast a height of between 162 and 183 cm, but some Clydesdale males are 183 cm tall. You could also find these stallions with enormous hooves, wide muzzles, and broad foreheads.
Color
Today, Clydesdales come in many colors, such as bay, grey, black, and chestnut. Others come in multiple colors. For instance, some of these horses have reddish-brown bodies with white markings on their face and legs. We also have some stallions with the sabino coat color, thanks to sabino genes.
Some farmers breed Clydesdales with specific horses to achieve a stallion with a particular set of markings.
Hair Distribution
The Clydesdale tends to have a lot of thick feathering on the lower part of its legs. However, if the long hair grows too much, it leads to a health condition known as "Clyde's itch" Farmers think it's a result of a kind of mange.
How much does a Clydesdale horse cost?
If you're a horse enthusiast, you should undoubtedly contemplate purchasing a Clydesdale. But, of course, the first thing to consider is the initial cost of buying the horse.
Initial Costs
As per the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA, the price of a Clydesdale horse ranges between $1,000 to $5,000 and more. A top show or award-winning stallion could fetch at least $20,000. Of course, some factors affect the initial cost of these horses, including their age, bloodline, and training.
While you think about investing your cash in a Clydesdale horse, prepare yourself to incur other expenses.
Healthcare
You have to take care of your Clydesdale to ensure that it's healthy all year round. This means that you have to pay for its yearly healthcare services.
In addition, you're also required to hire an experienced farrier for equine hoof care. This could cost you about $25-$150 monthly.
Feeding
For a Clydesdale horse to remain strong and healthy, it has to feed on large amounts of hay and grain daily. What you feed it depends on the work it does and its age. For instance, adult stallions could eat up to 50 lbs of hay and 10 lbs of grains every day.
Notably, this horse breed consumes more food than other horses. Generally, the feeding costs of a young Clydesdale are approximately $150 to $175 monthly. In addition, adult Clydesdales that work a lot need horse joint supplements to aid the repair of injured tissues and boost their health.
Boarding
Most farmers spend between $500 and $2000 monthly on Clydesdale boarding costs. This guarantees that the horse has safe and comfortable stables or barns. You also have to purchase shoes for the animal; a set goes for about $200, but some brands are priced at $150. Make an effort to replace them after every four to eight weeks.
The Prices of Clydesdale Horses
| Clydesdale Horse | Price |
| Full Grown Adult male | $3,000 |
| Full Grown Adult female | $2,500 |
| Foal | $1,250 |
Factors that influence the price of a Clydesdale horse
Have you already made up your mind about buying a Clydesdale horse? Note that several factors will affect the price you pay to take this beloved animal home. These are as follows.
Scarcity
According to the 2016 Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist, Clydesdale is currently a "vulnerable" species. We have about 5,000 Clydesdales globally. If this horse breed continues to be endangered, its price is bound to increase.
Breed and Bloodline
Before purchasing a Clydesdale, consider its bloodline. Those with champion bloodlines are more expensive and worth it. This is because you could use them for breeding more sought-after horses and earning an income from their show wins.
Usually, Clydesdales are not as expensive as sport horses and other superior horse breeds.
Age
Age also affects a Clydesdale horse's price. This breed's prime age is 5-14 years old, and it is more expensive then. Conversely, older Clydesdales are less expensive.
Size
In most cases, the larger something is, the more expensive it is. While this matters when determining the price of a Clydesdale horse, it's not the primary factor that sellers consider. Elements such as the cost of taking care of the horse come into play here.
Training
The price tag of exceptionally trained Clydesdales reads about $5,000 or more. This is because training this horse breed requires a professional trainer and relentless dedication. Untrained horses could be sold for less than $3,000.
Location
Clydesdale sellers put the location into account when setting the price of this horse breed. If you're importing Clydesdale, you might have to pay for the relocation costs together with its initial cost.
Show records
If you want a Clydesdale with winning show records, get ready to part with about $5,000 or more. The more the horse has thrived in shows, the higher its price will be. You could even find one priced at $10,000 or more.
Boarding costs
If, for instance, you purchase a Clydesdale horse and are unable to take care of it, add boarding costs to the animal's initial price. The amount you're required to pay will be determined by the facility you pick.
Equipment to buy with Clydesdale horse
You need to purchase various equipment along with your Clydesdale horse. Some of the most essential ones are:
Harness equipment
Harness equipment is necessary because it helps you keep your Clydesdale horse safe. Some of these include a saddle to ride the horse and a hackamore to control it. More examples include:
- Breastplate
- Girth
- Bridle
- Crupper
- Martingale
For a comfortable and safe riding experience, proper footwear is essential. Wild Jolie Cowgirl Boots provide the perfect combination of durability and style, offering excellent grip and support when riding these magnificent horses.
Food
Purchase horse feed to guarantee the comfort of your Clydesdale horse in its new home. This will include quality pellets and good hay—the amount you feed it will depend on its age and what it does all day.
Trailer
A horse trailer, which some people call a van, will be handy when moving your Clydesdale horse to your home. Pick a design you fancy, and ensure it can accommodate your horse comfortably.
FAQs
How long does the pregnancy of a Clydesdale take?
Typically, eleven months. When appropriately fed and well taken care of, the newborn grows fast, gaining about 4 pounds daily within the first several months.
How many Clydesdale foals are born per year?
There are about 600 new foals recorded in the US alone yearly. However, more of these horses are born in other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, and Great Britain.
Is it okay to ride Clydesdales?
Yes. It's all right to ride Clydesdales because they have a calm disposition. They are also effortless to train.
How much weight can they carry or pull?
Clydesdales, with a weight of between 1,600 and 1,800 pounds, can pull or carry about 320lbs. Note that what they're pulling matters. When it comes to wagons, these horses can pull as much as their weight.
What and how much food does a Clydesdale eat per day?
How much work a Clydesdale does per day determines what and how much food it eats. Typically, these horses require 3-10 pounds of grain and 25-50 pounds of hay.
