Being Aware: How Much Does a Clydesdale Cost?

Have you ever wondered how much does a Clydesdale cost? One of the most costly horse breeds in the world, with some costing up to about $50,000, is this well-known kind. 

The Clydesdale is a large, powerful animal. Their power, stature, and reputation for intelligence are the main reasons they are so well-liked as draft horses. It is simple to understand why these horses are so pricey since they are magnificent and gorgeous. Read our article Shire Horse vs. Clydesdale – The DIFFERENCE. 

Clydesdale Horses on the Prairies

Buying a Clydesdale 

Horses weighing 1,100 to 1,700lb (500 to 770kg) pounds are known as Clydesdales. In comparison to the typical horse, which weighs between 1,000 and 1,500lb (450 to 680kg), this is significantly bigger. The phrase “gentle giant” frequently describes this gigantic type of horse. 

Clydesdale horses serve their purpose as pull plows or carriages. They are incredibly composed, quiet, and conscientious. But what about the most crucial query in your mind, right? What is the price of a horse? If a Clydesdale is something you already know you want, you should first determine your price range.

The most pricey Clydesdale horse ever sold for approximately $212,500 right there on the horse market! The initial cost of a Clydesdale horse price is about $1000 to $25,000. Most Clydesdale breeders and farmers in the United States charge approximately between $1000 and $5,000 for their horses.

What is a Clydesdale Horse?

The American Clydesdale is a horse breed that originated in the nineteenth century. In addition to being used for driving for fun and competition, they also do farm chores. They use the horse for draft labor in harnesses and under saddles. They may weigh between 1,500 and 2,000lb (680 and 1,000kg) and are typically 15 to 17 hands (1.5 to 1.7 meters) high.

The Different Clydesdale Coat Colors

Clydesdales come in a broad range of hues, but not all of them are ‘pure’ hues. Some of the terminology used to categorize coat colors may seem familiar to horse owners. Here is a straightforward explanation of the various Clydesdale coat colors because this might be perplexing when seeking to gauge a horse’s quality.

Black, brown, bay, and gray horses are used for heavy-duty pulling on Hitch and Walker teams. The horses used for light riding come in various colors, including bay, gray, palomino, and dun. 

The horses for all jobs come in bay, brown, black, and gray colors. Sorrel, bay, and black pony colors are also available. 

How Much Does a Clydesdale Cost?

How much are Clydesdales sold? It is dependent on the horse. What the horse has previously accomplished and what the horse is capable of performing have a significant role in the cost. 

A young horse will be more expensive to buy than an older horse. A horse who has demonstrated the ability to win ribbons at several shows will cost more than one that has not yet completed competitions. The cost decreases as a horse gets older.

What is a Budweiser Clydesdale?

In the realm of horses, Budweiser Clydesdale horses are a rare breed. These big, powerful beasts’ purpose is to drive beer carts. These horses receive excellent feeding, grooming, and care. The Clydesdale horses have broad, rounded hooves and are bulky and robust. The distinctive markings and massive size of these animals are well known. 

Their long mane, which flows down their necks and front legs, gives them an attractive appearance. They have striking dark eyes and a coat that is dark blackish brown. These horses are well-trained and frequently used in shows. They receive excellent nutrition, grooming, and care. Clydesdale horses are robust and extremely powerful.

The Price of a Budweiser Clydesdale

A Budweiser Clydesdale will cost about $5,000 if you want to purchase one. From what we can see, the corporation does not sell its top-tier horses.

Until it’s time for them to retire, these horses travel the country with their team participating in promotions and events. Without a publicized price or other pertinent details about the team horses, it is difficult to assess the Clydesdales’ worth precisely.

The Cost of a Budweiser Clydesdale

Ever wondered how much a Budweiser Clydesdale is worth? Running Clydesdales for Budweiser is quite costly. The daily expense of keeping one squad on the road is approximately $8,000. If all three teams are on the road, this comes to about $24,000 daily. They attend 200 events annually and make a total of 900 appearances.

How to Purchase a Retired Budweiser Clydesdale

Have you ever wondered how to purchase a retired Budweiser Clydesdale? The agreement prohibits the Budweiser Clydesdale horse from purchasing or hiring to another person when it retires. In addition, it is not allowed to be slaughtered, used for advertising or commercial purposes, shown as a Budweiser Clydesdale, or transported to an exhibition.

The History of the Clydesdale

Lancashire, formerly known as Clydesdale, was the birthplace of this breed of horse. Their origin began with the importation of Flemish stallions to Scotland by the Duke of Hamilton, who bred them to local mares. In 1911, he sold the 11-year-old stallion Baron of Buchlyvie for about  £9,700 – a high price for a horse back then.

Many Clydesdales came from Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The British Empire purchased 1617 stallions from this nation in 1911 for various locations. Furthermore, Russia, Europe, and North and South America export these stallions. This particular horse breed rose to fame in the country.

Clydesdale Horse outdoors

Distinct Clydesdale Features

Simply by glancing at a horse, you may discover a lot about its conformation. A Clydesdale horse is simple to recognize. The unique qualities of this gentle horse breed are listed below.

Color

Some Clydesdales are reddish-brown with white markings on their faces and legs, while others are chestnut with black fur. Due to sabino genes, there are also stallions with the sabino coat color. Farmers breed these horses to produce a stallion with a set of markings.

Weight

Between 1,600 to 2,200lb (680 to 1,000kg) is the average weight of a Clydesdale. Like other creatures, they have evolved with time and are no longer as large as they once were. However, they are still quite powerful and have robust muscles.

Hair Distribution

Clydesdales have considerable feathering on the lower half of their legs. Farmers think a type of mange is to blame. Where long hair rapidly grows, which causes Clyde’s itch, which is a medical problem.

Appearance

The Clydesdale has a fluffy tail, a bent neck, an arched shoulder, and a slightly protruding head profile. Generally speaking, these horses stand between 60 and 73in (162 and 183cm) tall. However, some Clydesdale males are much taller. These stallions have massive hooves, giant muzzles, and big foreheads.

Clydesdale Price Factors

These horses are a sight to behold, with long, muscular legs. They are known for their extraordinary strength, power, and impressive stamina. A Clydesdale horse’s price will vary according to its color, sex, pedigree, and heritage.

Age

The Clydesdale horse cost also varies with age. This breed is most costly between the ages of 5 and 14 when it is at its peak. On the other hand, older Clydesdales are more affordable.

Size

The majority of the time, larger things cost more money. Although it affects the cost of a Clydesdale horse, this isn’t the main aspect that vendors consider. Here, factors like the expense of caring for the horse come into play.

Scarcity

The 2016 Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist terms Clydesdales as a “threatened” species at this time. Globally, we have roughly 5,000 Clydesdales. The cost of this horse breed will inevitably rise if it remains at risk of extinction.

Breed and Lineage

The more costly ones with champion bloodlines are worthwhile because you can use them to produce more in-demand horses and profit from their show victories. Most of the time, Clydesdales are less expensive than sports horses and other elite horse breeds.

Show Records

Prepare to spend around $5,000 or more if you want a Clydesdale with a winning show history. The more successful the horse has been in competitions, the more expensive it will be. One can purchase the horse for about $10,000 or more.

Boarding Cost

If you buy a Clydesdale horse and find that you can’t care for it, you should add boarding expenses to the cost of the animal. The institution you choose will affect how much you must pay.

Training

Clydesdales that have had great training might cost approximately $5,000 or more. This is because training this horse demands a qualified trainer and unwavering commitment. Horses that don’t have any training experience cost approximately less than $3,000.

Location

When determining Clydesdale’s price, vendors consider the area. You could also have to pay relocation expenses if you import Clydesdale in addition to the original purchase price.

Two Clydesdale Horses at the Ranch

Things to Consider Before Getting a Clydesdale

Owning a Clydesdale horse has several benefits. These horses make excellent work animals since they are attractive, sturdy, and dependable. They work as draft animals, hauling plows and carriages, as well as exhibition horses. You should consider a few factors before buying a Clydesdale horse. 

Grooming

A Clydesdale horse will require more time to groom than a horse without feathers. You should follow certain measures to maintain those lovely leg feathers in their best condition. 

This usually entails applying and letting sit a specific whitening shampoo. Then dry the feathers one by one using a blow dryer after they have been cleaned and shampooed.

Training

Although Clydesdale horses are as light as any other horse, they can also develop the ability to sense when you don’t support them. Certain draft horses become so poor in this area that they require stock shoes.

Most horses shouldn’t pick up these undesirable behaviors with proper training, but with a bigger horse, you’ll need to be especially careful to avoid it.

Size

You should remember that Clydesdale horses are larger than other horses if you’re trying to purchase one. This implies that a lot of the equipment you use for a regular-sized horse needs to be significantly larger to fit a Clydsdale’s size.

Color

Do you know that the Clydesdale horses owned by Budweiser may also have coats other than the traditional black and white? They can be any color—black, bay, gray, roan, or even chestnut—but their faces and legs are usually always white.

Shoe Cost

To complement its massive size, the Clydesdale horse has a giant foot. Therefore, compared to other horses, these horses require substantially larger shoes. The cost of putting on a shoe increases with size or level of specialization. Remember that every 6 to 8 weeks, at the absolute least, all horses should have their feet looked at.

Purpose

Heavy horses are necessary for heavy riders. The Clydesdale horse has the advantage of being large enough to support any size rider. A mature Clydsdale would have no trouble handling a 380-pound guy, and smaller riders are also no difficulty.

Feeds

A typical horse weighs between 800 and 1000lb (360 and 450kg). That means a horse weighing 1,000-lb (450kg) needs 10 to 20lb (4 to 9kg) of hay daily. A mature Clydesdale horse typically weighs between 1,500 and 2,200lb (680 and 1000kg). They will thus need twice as much food to maintain their weight.

Final Words

In summary, Clydesdale horses are pricey. They are particularly pricey if your horse requires boarding and training. I can vouch for the loyalty, good nature, and riding prowess of Clydesdale horses because I have personally owned two of them.