Can Clydesdales Jump? Fun Clydesdale Facts Revealed!

Last Updated on August 18, 2022

Clydesdale horses are one of the most popular and famous draught horse breeds, normally seen pulling waggons. But can Clydesdales jump as well? Let’s find out!

Can Clydesdales Jump?

Pretty much every type and breed of horse has some jumping ability, from the tiniest Falabella up to the biggest Shire horse. However, for some breeds of horses, disability may be very limited. When it comes to larger draught breeds such as the Clydesdale, can these horses be taught to jump?

The Clydesdale is a majestic and powerful breed of draft horse. The average height of this horse is a massive 18 hands high, with an average weight of 2000 pounds. This breed is one of the most popular draft breeds around the world, thanks to its heritage as a working horse over the centuries.

The reason for the fame of the Clydesdale horse is the incredible Budweiser Clydesdales. The Clydesdale breed was once the horse of choice to pull brewery waggons, and to this day they are used in displays for this purpose. Clydesdale horses can also be ridden and can be taught to do walk, trot, canter and even some basic dressage movements.

So we know that these horses are fearsomely strong and that they can carry a rider, but can Clydesdales jump too?

Most Clydesdale horses can jump to some extent, but they do not have a particular talent for show jumping. Their sheer bulk and size can cause considerable problems if they are jumped too high, as their body weight can put pressure on the joints when they take off and land. Many riders also report that Clydesdales have a very awkward jumping action, which is not comfortable to ride.

So although Clydesdales are highly trainable and easy to ride, they do not have a talent for jumping and should not do anything more than a low-show jumping course. Their enormous hooves also make it likely that they will knock over objects rather than clear them.

Whilst Clydesdales will never be talented jumping horses, they do have many other skills. Let’s find out more!

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What Sports Are Clydesdale Horses Good At?

With large draught breed of horses such as the Clydesdale, they tend to excel at anything that requires slow, steady movement. Their enormous body mass takes significant effort to move, so they are not good at high speeds or going over high objects. A Clydesdale is highly unlikely to become a top-level show jumper or prize-winning endurance horse, but they do have many other fantastic attributes that make them suitable for other equine sports.

The Clydesdale: Workhorse of the World

Good At Dressage – Can Clydesdales Jump?

Many people will be surprised to hear that Clydesdales are actually very good at dressage. They naturally have a very graceful movement because they lift each foot clear from the ground, flicking it upwards as they move. This showy action is very impressive when the horse is ridden in a dressage style.

The other reason that Clydesdales are so good at dressage is that they have a physically impressive body shape. The neck of the Clydesdale horse is long, arched and highly muscular, complementing the showy movement of the horse. Their bodies are well proportioned and when ridden correctly they can make beautiful dressage horses.

Dressage aside, the main sports that Clydesdale horses tend to excel at involve using their immense strength and stamina to pull and move heavy loads. They are still commonly used for farm work and forestry work, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach with mechanised equipment. A Clydesdale horse can pull a felled tree out of a forest with ease.

The immense strength of the Clydesdale horse was also useful for pulling waggons. As well as farm work, they were often used in cities to transport goods. The slow and steady pace, coupled with their incredible stamina meant that they were not particularly rapid, but would always get there in the end despite pulling heavy loads.

Although Clydesdales have been replaced by mechanisation in many aspects their physical talents do not go unnoticed. They are often used for parades and proud Clydesdale owners like to show off their horses’ talents in ploughing or log pulling competitions.

So if you’re a Clydesdale owner, your beautiful gentle giant may not be able to jump a high course of show jumps, but he has many other skills to be proud of!

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Summary, Can Clydesdales Jump?

So, as we have learned, the answer to the question can Clydesdales jump is yes, they can! However, Clydesdales are not particularly athletic horses and will only be able to jump over small low objects. The size and strength of a Clydesdale horse are far better suited to pulling waggons, ploughs, forestry work, and parades.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on can Clydesdales jump! Have you ever seen a Clydesdale horse that had a remarkable jumping ability? Or perhaps you’ve got some questions about teaching your Clydesdale horse to jump? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!

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