Last Updated on February 26, 2023
Percheron and Clydesdale horses are two of the real heavyweights of the equine world! With their huge bodies, feathered legs, and floating mane and tail, both breeds are an impressive sight which any horse lover would appreciate. But when it comes to Percheron vs Clydesdale size, which is bigger?
Let’s take a look at the size and weight of these two wonderful breeds of horse and find out which one is bigger.
Percheron Horse Vs Clydesdale Horse – What Is The Difference?
Percherons and Clydesdale horses are two of the gentle giants of the horse world. They are both known as draft breeds; this refers to horses which were used for heavy work such as pulling farm machinery. These are very old breeds of horse, which have been used as a workhorse for many years.
Nowadays, you are more likely to see a Clydesdale or Percheron horse at a petting zoo or farm park. Although they are not used for work much anymore, both of these breeds are still popular and much-loved by horse fans around the world. But what is the difference between these two breeds of horse?
Originally bred in Scotland, the Clydesdale is an ancient breed of horse famous for its feathered legs and elegant high-stepping gait. Clydesdale horse have a very wide, muscular body, with a strong neck and legs. Traditionally they were used to pull carts and farm machinery, as their incredible strength made light work of even the heaviest of tasks.
The Percheron is a French draft horse which is now popular around the world. This breed was crossed with lighter-weight horses such as the Arabian, giving it a more streamlined body shape than other draft breeds. This didn’t affect the overall strength of this massive breed, however, and they are as strong and hardworking as any other draft breed.
Percheron Vs Clydesdale Size – Which Is Bigger?
So, we’re talking about two of the true giants of the equine world here! But when it comes to Percheron vs Clydesdale size, which of these is the biggest and heaviest?
Well, it goes without saying that both of these draft breeds are pretty heavy! Clydesdale horses weigh between 1500 to 2200 pounds. Clydesdale mares are normally at the lower end of the scale, followed by geldings. Mature Clydesdale stallions are the heaviest of this breed.
Percheron horses weigh between 1900 and 2600 pounds. Again, mature stallions will weigh more than mares and geldings. In some countries, such as France, the average weight of the Percheron is lower.
So, what can we conclude from this? It seems that, despite their finer breeding, a Percheron will normally weigh slightly more than a Clydesdale.
But there really isn’t very much difference in weight between the two. Both of these breeds are heavyweights in the truest sense of the word!
Clydesdale Vs Percheron – Which Is Taller?
So, Percheron horses might be slightly heavier than Clydesdales, but does this mean that they are taller?
The average height of a Percheron horse is between 16.2 and 17.3hh. Pretty tall indeed! Most of us would be dwarfed by a horse this size.
So how does the Clydesdale compare? Well, they are actually very slightly taller than the Percheron, with an average height of 16 to 18hh! So even though the Percheron weighs more, the Clydesdale is the taller of the two breeds.
As with weight, the difference in height between the Percheron and Clydesdale really is very small. In fact, they are actually fairly evenly matched in terms of weight and height, and it would be very difficult to pick which one was bigger overall.
So, if we can’t choose between them based on size, what else can we look at? These two draft breeds of horse do have other differences, which may help you to choose between them.
Percheron Horses Vs Clydesdale – Which Is Better?
Well, there is no way we can make this decision! Both of these beautiful giant draft horse breeds are kings of the horse world, and any one of us would be proud to own one.
But if you were trying to choose just one, which is better when it comes to Clydesdale vs Percheron? Each of these heavyweight draft horses has different advantages and disadvantages. This means that some people may find they are more suited to a Clydesdale, while others will get on better with a Percheron.
Draft horses are very different from our everyday riding horses, and if you are thinking of buying one it is important to fully research the breed beforehand. Remember that these huge horses will have an appetite to match, so be prepared for large feed bills and an equally big manure pile!
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these two breeds:
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Percheron
The Percheron is the smaller of the two breeds but is slightly heavier than a Clydesdale. This breed is more finely built and has less feathering on the legs. Percherons are regarded as easy to train and amenable.
If you are looking for a riding horse, then the Percheron is the better option here. Percherons are also often crossed with warmbloods to breed useful and athletic riding horses.
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Clydesdale
The Clydesdale has a thick-set and muscular body and is taller than the Percheron. This powerful breed is more suited to driving than riding. Clydesdales also have a calm and placid temperament.
To retain the pure bloodlines, it is very rare that Clydesdales are bred with any breed of horse other than another Clydesdale.
Summary
So, as we’ve learned, Clydesdale horses weigh between 1500 and 2200 pounds, and Percheron horses weigh between 1900 and 2600. This means that when it comes to Percheron vs Clydesdale size, the Percheron is heavier. However, when it comes to height then the Clydesdale is normally taller than the Percheron!
We’d love to hear your thoughts about these beautiful breeds of draft horses. Have you ever met one of these giants of the horse world? Or maybe you know a horse that is even bigger than a Percheron or a Clydesdale? Please add a comment below!
Is a moose bigger than a Clydesdale?
A moose is a large mammal native to North America. Moose are known for their large size and their long, unspayed antlers. In the wild, they have a population of about 200,000 individuals, mostly spread around Alaska.
But how do they compare in size with Clydesdale horses? Moose are slightly taller than Clydesdale, but Clydesdale horses are much heavier. An average moose can be up to 7 feet tall while Clydesdales normally reach 5.3 to 5.7 feet (18 hands) in height. However, a Clydesdale is much heavier than a moose, with an average weight of about 2,000 pounds, while an average moose weighs around 1,500 pounds.
Which is bigger a Clydesdale or a Belgian?
The Belgians are a breed of horses that is bigger than Clydesdales, although they are not taller. They’re typically between 16.2 and 17 hands tall, and they weigh from 1,800 to 2,200 pounds. Both, Belgian and Clydesdales, are large draft horses, but Clydesdales are slightly taller and weigh less. Clydesdales can be as tall as 18 hands and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They’re also known for their exceptional strength and stamina.
How big are the Budweiser Clydesdales?
Budweiser Clydesdales grow to be about 18 hands tall when they’re fully grown and weigh around 2,000 pounds. These horses must be geldings, bay in color, have all four legs colored white, must have a white blaze on their face, and a black mane and tail.
Budweiser Clydesdales are specifically bred for the Budweiser beer company. Budweiser Clydesdales can be seen pulling Budweiser beer trucks and perform in Budweiser commercials. They have appeared in most Super Bowl ads for the company since 1986.
What do Percheron horses look like?
A Percheron horse is a large draft horse that was originally bred in France for heavy agricultural work. They are still used for heavy-duty farm work.
Percheron horses can be black, gray, chestnut, bay, roan, or sorrel in color. French-bred Percherons are black when foaled but turn gray as they mature. Even though white markings are allowed on their foreheads, the front of their faces, or on their lower legs, the excess white is not desired. Percheron horses have a head with a straight profile, broad forehead, large eyes and small ears. They have deep and wide chest, and long and level croup. The legs are heavily muscled and the overall look of the Percheron is the one of a very powerful horse.
Where did Percheron horses originate?
The Percherons are a subtype of the draft horse that developed in the Perche region of northeastern France. The word “Percheron” is derived from the Latin word perchere, which means to “reach” or “to come near”. These horses were originally bred for work in the forests of the region and are generally considered the best draught horses in the world.
The breed was introduced into North America during the early 19th century by French settlers and was brought to the United States by immigrants from the region. The Percherons have been bred for their working ability and are known for their stamina. They are also known for their docility, hardiness, and strength.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE