Last Updated on March 28, 2023
Clydesdale draft horses are one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world! But how much do Clydesdales weigh, and how big are these magnificent horses?
Have you ever taken a look at Clydesdale’s hooves? Each one is probably bigger than your face! Can you imagine getting stepped on by those hooves? Ouch, it might break your toes! It makes you wonder how much exactly these gentle giants weigh.
All draft horses, including Clydesdales, have higher average weights compared to a standard riding or “saddle” horse. This is because they are built differently, with muscular, heavyweight bodies capable of carrying out intensive physical work. Even so, the average weight of draft horses will vary from breed to breed, and even within individual breeds depending on the age and diet of specific horses.
Today we’ll be discussing the average weight of Clydesdale horses in comparison to the weight of saddle horses and other draft horses, as well as discussing variations in weight within the Clydesdale breed.
Why Are Clydesdale Horses So Heavy?
When discussing the weight of a Clydesdale, the first thing you have to take into consideration is the anatomical shape of a Clydesdale, or, more generally speaking, the anatomical shape of a draft horse.
In contrast with a traditional riding or saddle horse, draft horses are tall at the withers, short in the back, and thick and wide everywhere else. Draft horses have a heavy, thick, and strong bone structure and frame that gives them the look we all know and recognize.
Because draft horses, including Clydesdales, are built with these features, they will weigh significantly more than a typical saddle horse.
How much do riding horses weigh?
Every breed of horse has a different average weight. But, averages can be gleaned from the most common and heavily populated horse breeds. One of the most common and popular riding horses is the Thoroughbred, used in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines.
The average Thoroughbred horse weighs approximately 1,000 pounds. This is a fairly standard average weight for a riding or “saddle” horse. Weight is dependent on the breed, height, and body shape of the horse, but 1,000 pounds is a good starting point for an average riding horse.
Are Clydesdales good riding horses?
While we’re talking about riding horses, is there any reason why a Clydesdale can’t be used under saddle? These gentle giants can be ridden, and in some situations, they can make good riding horses. With their immense strength and calm temperament, they make a good mount for larger adult riders, particularly those who are inexperienced or nervous.
However, Clydesdales may be strong, but they are not particularly athletic. Slow and steady is their preferred pace, so faster paces such as canter and gallop may not be their strong point! Their jumping ability is also limited, and they are unlikely to excel at sports such as barrel racing or reining.
The other thing to bear in mind when riding a Clydesdale is that these horses may be calm, but they can also tend to be high-spirited and stubborn! It is not always easy to persuade a Clydesdale horse to do something it is not sure about, and it will quickly make its feelings known if they are unhappy about something.
How Much Do Clydesdales Weigh?
So, it doesn’t take much figuring out to guess that Clydesdale horses probably weigh more than an average riding horse. But just how much do Clydesdales weigh?
The average weight of a Clydesdale is approximately 2,000 pounds. As can be guessed, Clydesdales are amongst the tallest and biggest draft horses in existence. They range anywhere from 1600-2400 pounds at their peak, depending on each individual horse.
Not only is the average weight of a Clydesdale double the average weight of a typical saddle horse (i.e.- a Thoroughbred, for this article’s purposes), but it is also a few hundred pounds more than most of its draft horse relatives.
A significant part of a Clydesdale’s weight has to do with its height. Stallions and geldings stand between 17 and 19 hands high, and mares stand between 16 and 18 hands high.
While Clydesdales are one of the largest and heaviest draft breeds today, this has not always been the case. In the 1920s through the 1940s, the Clydesdale was considered a more compact and small breed of draft horse.
However, beginning in the 1940’s Clydesdale breeders used selective breeding to try to increase the size of their horses. They were successful, both in making the breed bigger and in creating a breed that people were drawn to.
Clydesdale weight variants
As stated earlier, there are always going to be outliers in both directions when it comes to the average weight of horses. This means that some Clydesdales will be under 1600 pounds, and some will be over 2400 pounds.
Many factors can contribute to varying weights in horses, but two of the most common factors are age, height, diet & fitness:
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Age & height
Horses take several years to fully physically mature, and even when they reach their full height they continue to gain weight in the form of muscle. Foals, yearlings, and young horses who are still growing will not reach their peak weight until they stop growing. For this reason, they will have a lower-than-average weight, even when they reach their full height.
Similarly, horses tend to drop weight as they get older and begin losing muscle from being less fit. So, senior Clydesdale horses may also fall under the lower end of the spectrum of average weights.
Although taller does not always mean heavier in the world of horses, it is clear that the tallest Clydesdales also tend to have the highest average body weights.
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Diet & fitness
Diet can influence the weight of a Clydesdale in both directions. If Clydesdale doesn’t have enough access to certain elements of his normal diet (i.e.- hay, grain, grass), then he may fall on the lower end of the averages.
However, the opposite can be the case as well. If a Clydesdale has too much access to certain elements of his diet, he may become overweight, and land on the higher end of the average.
Fit horses tend to weigh more than ones that do little physical work. This is because muscle weighs more than fat, so a Clydesdale at peak physical fitness will have a higher body weight than one turned out at pasture.
Is There a Horse Bigger Than a Clydesdale?
So, with an average weight of 2,000 pounds, is there a horse breed bigger than a Clydesdale?
Most other examples of draft horse breeds that tend to be lighter than the Clydesdale include the American Belgian, the Percheron, and the Suffolk. These breeds average 1896 pounds, 1896 pounds, and 1698 pounds respectively.
However, there is one famous draft horse breed that often comes out on top when it comes to both height and weight – the iconic Shire horse! The average weight of a Shire horse is 2,100 pounds – that’s a whopping 100 pounds more than a Clydesdale! Their average weight range is 1,800 to 2,400 pounds, with a height range of 16 to 18 hands high.
A Shire horse still holds the world record for the heaviest horse, with his record remaining unbroken since 1850! This enormous horse, known as Mammoth, weighed in at 3,359 pounds. Now, that is one seriously big horse!
How Much Does a Newborn Foal Weigh?
When a foal is born, it normally weighs around 10% of its estimated adult weight. So, if a Clydesdale was expected to weigh 2,000 pounds as an adult when newly born it would weigh about 200 pounds. That’s a pretty big baby!
Interestingly, newborn foals may be a tenth of the weight of an adult, but their legs are almost fully grown! When a foal is born its legs will be 90% of their adult length, which is why foals look so adorable with their long wobbly legs. It is thought that their legs are so long to allow they to run and keep up with the herd, helping to keep them safe from predators in the wild.
Summary: How Much Do Clydesdales Weigh?
So, as we have learned, the average Clydesdale weight is around 2,000 pounds, enough to break your toes if they step on you! Clydesdales are one of the tallest and heaviest draft horse breeds, and most other draft horses are lighter and smaller. The only breed to consistently top the Clydesdale in terms of weight is the magnificent Shire horse.
We hope that you enjoyed this article about the average weight of Clydesdale horses! If so, please share it, and share with us your experiences with Clydesdales or other draft breeds in the comments!
FAQs
How much does the biggest Clydesdale weigh?
The World's Largest Clydesdale weighed 2950 Pounds at the age of 7 years. His name was King LeGear and he was 20.5 hands high. He was owned by Dr. L.D. LeGear of St. Louis, the founder of a patent veterinary medicine company based in St. Louis, Missouri.
How much does a Budweiser Clydesdale weigh?
The Budweiser Clydesdales are a group of chosen Clydesdale horses used for promotions and commercials by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company. Some of those horses are also used in TV commercials for Budweiser beer, they have been often used in Super Bowl ads. They are also sometimes called the "official horses of Budweiser". In the early 1990s, Anheuser-Busch wanted to boost sales of its beer by creating a new advertising campaign. The company hired a group of Clydesdale horses to help them achieve that goal.
To be eligible for one of the official Budweiser horses, a Budweiser Clydesdale must be at least four years old gelding, has to be at least 18 hands (72 inches, 183 cm) tall when fully mature, and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds (820 and 1,040 kg). The horse needs to have an even temperament and strong draft horse appearance. Each horse must have a reddish-brown coat with a black mane and tail, white stocking on all four feet, and a blaze of white on the face.
How much is a Clydesdale horse worth?
The cost of your Clydesdale will depend on a number of factors, including its age, color, and markings. A Clydesdale horse's value can also be highly affected by its lineage, i.e., bloodline, performance, and training record. It's posible to find a Clydesdale for as little as $1000, but most of them cost between $2500 and $5000. However, the prices of top class Clydesdale horses can compare to prices of luxury automobiles.
How much weight can a Clydesdale horse pull?
In average, a Clydesdale can pull between 2,000 and 8,000 pounds.
Horses are capable of pulling about one tenth of their body weight in dead weight (like a plow or a log). Adding wheels to the load will make the load easier to move. Therefore, if you put the load on a cart, an average horse will be able to pull 1.5 times its body weight.
The horse's pulling force is measured with dynamometer. Dynamometer is a device with changeable weights that are set on a vertical track. When a horse pulls the load, the weights move according to the pulling force.
Pulling contests have evolved into popular sporting events that provide entertainment, as well as a chance to see beautiful horses, good horsemanship and competition. They are intense but good natured and were originally started for testing and educational purposes.
Can Clydesdales run fast?
The average speed of the Clydesdales is 20 mph, and at times they can go up to 50 mph. However, they are not famous for being a super fast runners as they were originally bred for a draft and farm work.
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.
