Last Updated on March 6, 2023
Of all the different draft horse breeds, one is more famous than the rest, thanks to a popular beer, so how much are the Budweiser Clydesdales worth? Even those who don’t know much about horses will recognize these majestic horses that often make appearances at events around the United States.
Budweiser Clydesdale Breeding
The Budweiser Clydesdales are a major part of the Anheuser-Busch brand. For years these iconic horses are part of what most people associate with one of the world’s most popular beers. The company has its own breeding farm that is responsible for the care of around 175 Clydesdales a day.
The operation is over 40 years old and worth millions of dollars. Each year the farm breeds around 43 horses to raise as the next generation of horses to pull the famous Budweiser wagon. All foals are born at the Budweiser farm in Boonville, Mo, where they stay until they are age two.
Budweiser Horse Requirements
The horses that get the honor of pulling the Budweiser wagon must meet a list of strict requirements. All horses that pull the wagon are male, with the best females staying in the breeding program. Also, the performance horses must have four white, tall socks on their legs, a white blaze, and black manes and tails. Horses that don’t meet the requirements for the wagon or breeding are sold on, to hopefully good homes.
The Budweiser Wagon Clydesdales
When they leave their birth farm, the Clydesdales join the other mature horses at the company’s farm in New Hampshire where they go through training. There are three teams and a total of 30 horses that tour the country each year.
Budweiser Clydesdale Horse Price
If you want to buy a Budweiser Clydesdale, expect to pay around 5,000 dollars. Mind you, these are the horses that were not suitable to join the touring teams. It does not mean that they are not good horses Clydesdale is an excellent horse for riding activities.
When you buy one of these horses, you will gain some great conversation material. We’re sure people will love to learn about your very own Budweiser Clydesdale.
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Budweiser Horses Price
The company does not sell its premier team horses from what we can see. These horses work with their team doing events and promotions around the country until it is time for them to retire. If they did sell them, expect the price to fall into the upper end of Clydesdale prices, which is at least $15,000.
The Clydesdale: Workhorse of the World
However, without any disclosed price, or valuable information about the team horses, it is impossible how much are the Budweiser Clydesdales worth with any accuracy. But we can guess, that with the training and fame these horses have, the price is probably well over $15,000.
Budweiser Clydesdale Cost
In addition to the published sale prices for nonperformance Budweiser Clydesdales, there are many costs involved in the three hitches that tour the country. To keep one team on the road costs $8,000 per day. This equates to $24,000 each day when all three teams are touring.
As you can see this is a very expensive way to promote the company. However, the Budweiser Clydesdales are so famous, they are synonymous with the brand. Each year, the Clydesdales make it to 200 events with a total of 900 appearances.
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Clydesdale Cost
Budweiser isn’t the only place that breeds Clydesdales. You can find these horses around the United States. These horses might not have a famous connection, but they still make wonderful companions.
These horses are also cheaper to buy. The average Clydesdale costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Some will cost more. Pedigree, confirmation, and training will all influence the price. The nicer quality horse with more training will have a more expensive price tag.
Clydesdales Born Each Year
The main countries where Clydesdales are born are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The breed is still rare and at risk, with only around 600 born each year in the United States.
Even though Clydesdale is a Scottish breed, the majority of the population now resides in the United States. The worldwide Clydesdale population is around 5,000 with 4,000 of these in the United States.
In 2016 the city of Leesburg, Florida had a special Christmas visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Budweiser Clydesdale History
The Budweiser Clydesdale is a part of the American spirit since April 1933, when they made their debut appearance. August A. Busch and his brother Adolphus gave their father, two six-horse teams as a gift to celebrate the end of prohibition.
Soon after these horses won the hearts of Americans. They even made appearances at the Presidential inauguration of Harry Truman in 1949 and Bill Clinton in 1993. Another icon of the Budweiser hitch is the Dalmatian that sits aboard with the driver.
This mascot came onto the team in 1950. Today, they appear at various events, drawing huge crowds. One of the most famous Clydesdale promotions is the annual Super Bowl and Christmas TV ad.
These ads tend to pull at the heartstrings and even make some people a bit teary-eyed.
How Much Are The Budweiser Clydesdales Insured For?
It is not entirely clear how much the Budweiser Clydesdales are insured for, but you can be sure that it is a considerable sum of money! These majestic horses are worth a huge amount of money, particularly the ones that participate in shows and displays.
In terms of risk, it makes sense that the Budweiser Clydesdales would be insured. They regularly take part in public displays, and the company and event organizers will need insurance against damage to property or injury to the audience.
Retired Budweiser Clydesdales are not normally sold, so it is impossible to put a value on these magnificent horses. But with an operation of this size, we can guess that the insurance premiums must be pretty hefty!
What Do The Budweiser Clydesdales Eat?
The Budweiser Clydesdales are one of the most magnificent teams of horses you will ever see, and their food supply is equally awe-inspiring!
While traveling around the country for shows and displays, ten beautiful Clydesdale horses are transported together in luxury horse transporters. Each horse will eat up to 50 pounds of hay per day, so the grooms need to provide 500 pounds of hay each day in total – that’s a quarter of a ton!
As well as hay, the Budweiser Clydesdales will each eat 10 pounds of grain per day when they are fully fit and participating in events.
Back at the ranch, the food consumption of the breeding stock is likely to be considerably lower. This breeding stock will have access to fresh grass, cutting down on the hay and grain requirements considerably.
Can You Rent The Budweiser Clydesdales?
Traditionally, the Budweiser Clydesdales were available to hire for a very modest fee, but in recent years this has increased to $2000. This is still far less than the costs incurred in transporting the horses to an event, which can reach figures of $8000+.
Demand for an appearance by these famous majestic horses is high, and the cost is often worth it due to the crowds they draw in.
For a cheaper option, you can take a tour of the Warm Springs Ranch, where the Budweiser Clydesdales are bred and housed. For just $30 you can meet the Clydesdales and get a full tour of the ranch – a great birthday gift for the horse lover in your life!
Conclusion
While it is impossible to answer how much is the Budweiser Clydesdales worth for certain, you can purchase one from the breeding farm for around $5,000. This is a young horse, that will require training, so it is not necessarily the best choice for a first-time horse owner.
Even if you buy a Budweiser Clydesdale that didn’t cut the famous team, you will certainly get a good breed animal that didn’t want any care in the first two years of its life.
With the joy, these majestic horses bring to people how much the Budweiser Clydesdales are worth is probably priceless!
How much is the most expensive Clydesdale?
A Clydesdale horse can cost anywhere between one thousand dollars and twenty-five thousand dollars. In the United States, most Clydesdales are bred and raised for the purpose of breeding and most horse breeders and farmers will sell their equine for about $1,000 to $5,000. The most expensive Clydesdale horse in history, which was sold for $212,500 at a horse auction, was the one from the cover of the Draught Horse Journal.
Can you buy a retired Budweiser Clydesdale?
The contract states that the Budweiser Clydesdale horse, once retired, can’t be sold, donated, or lent to anyone else. He can’t be used for commercial or promotional purposes, he can’t be sent to slaughter, he can’t be exhibited, and he can’t be displayed as a Budweiser Clydesdale.
Are Budweiser Clydesdales treated well?
These special draft horses are considered like royalty. They are fed with high-quality feed and receive the best medical care. Each Clydesdale goes through extensive hitch training before they can become a member of the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch team. After training, they are being spoiled with long grooming sessions and despite the hard training they go through they still have enough time to relax and just be a horse. Once they stop workinh, they retire to prestigious homes such as Anheuser-Busch’s Grant’s Farm, in St. Louis, or other display stables.
Are all the Budweiser Clydesdales male?
Is it true that all the Budweiser Clydesdales are male? Yes, for a horse to qualify for one of the hitches, he must be a gelding with an even temperament and strong, draft horse appearance. He must be at least four years old, stand at least 18 hands at the withers when fully grown, and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds. They must have specific look to do a career as a Budweiser Clydesdales – the chosen ones have four white hooves, a dark chestnut body and white blaze down their nose.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to ride in one of the iconic horses that have been pulling the beer wagon for decades, you’re in luck: The Budweiser Clydesdales make regular appearances at several festivals throughout the summer where you can see these impressive animals up close.
Can you visit the Budweiser Clydesdales?
Yes, tours are given April through October on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Bad weather is not an excuse as tours are given rain or shine. However, keep in mind that tours are very popular, so make sure to reserve them well in advance.
Where are the Budweiser Clydesdales raised?
Warm Springs Ranch is a full-service equine operation and the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales. The ranch is located in Boonville, Missouri, about two hours east of Kansas City, and has been the official breeding farm of the Budweiser Clydesdales since 2008. The ranch also includes a training center where the Clydesdales are trained for their performances. The property features a mare/stallion and foaling barn, veterinary lab, and ten pastures with a customized walk-in shelters. Warm Springs Ranch currently houses more than 70 Clydesdales, ranging from foals to stallions.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
