# Clydesdale Horse (*Equus ferus caballus*) Clydesdale horses are big and strong. They are known for their beautiful, fluffy feathers on their legs and their gentle nature. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Also known as:** Clydesdale ![Clydesdale Horse](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426598/objects/4454.jpg) ## Appearance The Clydesdale Horse is a strikingly large draft horse, often sporting a bay coat with distinctive white feathering (long hair) on its lower legs. They commonly feature a white blaze on the face and white markings on their belly and legs. Their impressive size and elegant leg hair make them visually stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - A Clydesdale's massive hoof can be as large as a dinner plate! - Clydesdales can eat over 20 kg of food daily, almost a third of a kid's weight! - Their leg feathers, called 'spats,' protect them from mud and cold in wet fields. - These majestic horses inspired famous beer advertising, touring worldwide for decades! ## Special abilities - **Mighty Pulling Power:** Clydesdale Horses can pull immense weight because of their powerful muscles and strong frame, helping them move heavy carriages. - **Gentle Giant Stamina:** Clydesdale Horses have a calm, intelligent nature and great endurance that helps them work long hours for farming or parades. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-220 cm - **Weight:** 700-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-25 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-345 days ## Diet & Feeding Clydesdale Horses are big plant-eaters, enjoying hay, fresh grass, and special grains to keep them strong and healthy! - **Age differences:** Foals drink mare's milk, gradually transitioning to solid foods like hay and grains as they mature. - **Primary Foods:** hay, pasture grasses, oats, barley, corn - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans rely on Clydesdales for work, showing, and breed preservation. - **Eats:** Tall Fescue (*Festuca arundinacea*) — Clydesdales graze on this common pasture grass and consume it as hay. - **Parasitizes:** Bloodworm (*Strongylus vulgaris*) — This internal parasite can affect horse health if not properly managed. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always be gentle and calm around horses. They are big animals and can be startled easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clydesdale Horse? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Clydesdale Horse? 200-220 cm ### How much does Clydesdale Horse weigh? 700-1000 kg ### How long does Clydesdale Horse live? 20-25 years ### How fast can Clydesdale Horse move? 25 km/h ### What does Clydesdale Horse eat? Clydesdale Horses are big plant-eaters, enjoying hay, fresh grass, and special grains to keep them strong and healthy! ### How does Clydesdale Horse hunt? Grazing ### How many babies does Clydesdale Horse usually have? 1 ## Where to spot - [Busch Gardens Williamsburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/busch-gardens-williamsburg) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Dolphin Research Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dolphin-research-center) — Florida, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Clydesdale Horse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clydesdale-horse)