Shire

First up is the Shire, a breed that truly deserves the title of the biggest horse. Hailing from England, these majestic giants typically stand between 16 and 18 hands, with some exceptional individuals soaring past the 19-hand mark. Known for their gentle disposition and incredible strength, Shires were historically used for heavy draft work. Today, many Shires play vital roles in therapeutic programs, proving that the biggest horses can also have the largest hearts.

Clydesdale

Next on our list is the iconic Clydesdale. When most people think of the biggest horses, these Scottish beauties come to mind. Standing between 16 and 18 hands tall, their distinct bay coats, white markings, and feathered legs make them easily recognizable. Originally bred for agricultural work, Clydesdales have become cultural icons, especially through their famous association with Budweiser.

Belgian

Among the biggest horses, the Belgian is another standout. Typically measuring between 16 and 17 hands tall, these muscular horses were bred for farm work and are known for their calm demeanor. Often weighing in at over 2,000 pounds, they embody the term “gentle giant” and make wonderful family companions as well as hard-working farmhands.

Percheron

Bringing a touch of elegance to the list, the Percheron is a French breed that generally stands between 16 and 18 hands tall and can weigh up to an astounding 2,600 pounds. Known for their versatility, Percherons excel in various disciplines, from draft work to riding. Their calm nature and strong build make them favorites among horse enthusiasts looking for a reliable partner.

Suffolk Punch

Don’t let its lesser-known status fool you, the Suffolk Punch is a true giant among the biggest horses. Typically standing between 16 and 17 hands, these sturdy, chestnut beauties are recognized for their heavy build and friendly demeanor. Originally bred for agricultural work, they shine in various equestrian activities today, showcasing their remarkable strength and adaptability.

Boulonnais

Meet the Boulonnais, a hidden gem in the world of big horses. This French breed, often called the White Marble Horse, stands between 15 and 17 hands and is known for its agility and strength. While they may not be as widely recognized, their impressive size and versatile capabilities make them extremely valuable to any equestrian program.

Australian Draught

The Australian Draught is a versatile breed that stands between 16 and 17.2 hands tall.  Originally developed for heavy draft work, this draft evolved from crossbreeding four of the above breeds—the Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron and Suffolk Punch—after those horses were imported into Australia. To this day, these sturdy horses are recognized for their adaptability and excellent temperament.

Brabant

Renowned for its immense strength and solid build, the Brabant is a significant contender among the largest horse breeds. Typically measuring between 15.2 and 17 hands tall, this Belgian breed is not only notable for its size but also for its gentle temperament and versatility in various equestrian activities.

American Cream Draft

While the American Cream Draft may not be the tallest breed on our list, it is among the biggest in terms of weight and overall build. Typically standing between 15 and 16.3 hands high and weighing between 1,600 and 1,800 pounds, these horses are cherished for their impressive strength and distinctive creamy coat. Originating in the United States, the American Cream Draft is known for its gentle temperament, making them ideal companions for families and suitable for various work and leisure activities.

Jutland

Finally, we have the Jutland, named for the Jutland Peninsula in the breed’s home country of Denmark. Typically chestnut in color, the Jutland only stands between 15 and 16.1 hands high but is so powerfully muscular that the breed weights anywhere from 1,400 and 1,860 pounds. Originally used for hauling brewery wagons, these big horses are known for a gentle, willing temperament.

The Legacy of the Biggest Horses in the World

From the majestic Shire to the iconic Clydesdale, each horse on this list has carved out significant roles in agriculture, sport, and companionship. These giants remind us that horses, regardless of size, share a common bond with humans. They are not just athletes, but partners in life. As the equine world continues to grow, the legacy of these biggest horses will endure, inspiring future generations of horse lovers and riders.

This article about the biggest horse breeds in the world is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Clydesdale Breed History

The Clydesdale originated in the Clyde Valley, Scotland, and is the youngest of all the United Kingdom heavy breeds, finding its full development in the last 150 years. In the late 1700s, Native horses of Lanarkshire were put to Flemish horses, imported by the Duke of Hamilton, to increase their height and bulk.

Clydesdales were imported throughout the world and helped build the cities and towns of Canada, Australia and America. Today, they are extremely familiar in the United States because of their use in advertisements by Anheuser Busch. Teams of ‘Budweiser’ horses are kept and displayed at Anheuser Busch theme parks throughout the United States.

Breed Characteristics

Clydesdales stand from 16 to 18 hands and can be bay, brown, roan, black or gray, with white feathers and white markings. The Clydesdale is a flashy, high-stepping horse with strong, large feet. In fact, their feet were so big that in days past farmers couldn’t fit them in plow furrows. Therefore, Clydesdales were often worked in towns rather than farms.

For more information on the breed, check out the Clydesdale Breeders of the U.S.A. (CBUSA). The organization is the member organization for the breed, and is open not only to breeders and owners but to all those with a love for the Clydesdale horse that are interested in its advancement.

Further Reading:
10 Biggest Horses: Giants of the Equine World

This article originally appeared in Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The deliberate footfalls from your 1,800-pound mount punctuate the rhythmic squeak of your saddle. You wind your way up the path that leads through grassy meadows with free-range Black Angus cattle peeking through the endangered Monterey Pines. And then you arrive. From your hilltop vantage point on the Covell Ranch, and the added elevation of the 17.3-hand Clydesdale underneath you, you take in the view of the Pacific Ocean just a few miles away. You’re on top of the world.

California Dreaming at the Covell Ranch in Cambria

It feels like a dream riding a massive yet gentle draft horse on a trail that weaves through wide-open spaces on a private 2,000-acre ranch. But you’re riding a Clydesdale at Covell Ranch in Cambria, Calif.

Tara Covell and her small team of friends and family run the rides. Of the 50 or so horses on the ranch, Tara currently has 16 in the trail-riding string.

Tara and her father, Ralph Covell, who’s been breeding Clydesdales for 40 years, honor their special horses, their wellbeing, and the opportunity to share their world with you.

Riding Lessons at the Covell Clydesdale Ranch

Before each ride, Tara starts with a brief instruction session. “All of our riding horses are first taught to drive,” says Tara. “We ask you to ride them the same way we do.”

Instead of direct reining, which pulls back more than sideways, she wants riders to guide with more of an outside pull. After demonstrating, Tara and her team start helping riders mount up using a 4-foot stepladder tucked between each patient horse.

Family Focus

Ralph started with one team of Clydesdales at the family’s first ranch near Los Angeles. The program grew, and Covell Clydesdales became one of the most successful hitch and halter horse competitors in shows across the U.S. and Canada.

In 1998, he bought the 2,000-acre ranch in Cambria, and they started the trail riding program in 2015. Covell Clydesdales is one of just a few places in the U.S. that offer this experience. In addition to trail rides, they offer vehicle tours of the ranch for those who can’t ride but want to see the horses in their natural state and enjoy the beauty of the ranch.

Global Appeal

People of all ages and from around the world come to ride a Covell Clydesdale. While most riders are beginners (for many, it’s their first time on a horse), experienced riders enjoy the ride because it’s not a typical nose-to-tail trail ride. Certain places on the trail even allow for trotting or cantering if riders choose.

Plus, it’s truly a family friendly experience.

“Our minimum rider age is 7,” says Tara.

“We’ve had riders in their 80s, as well as riders with prosthetic arms and legs.”

Taking in the View on a Clydesdale

The trail crests the top of the hill and the view extends in all directions. This just might be what heaven is like, at least for a horse lover.

As the horses take a break and humans take in the landscape, Tara and her team take photos of everyone who wants one.

For a few more minutes, the group can take in the 360-degree view. On this warm spring day, the meadow is as green as Scotland—the original birthplace of these majestic horses.

Sharing the Dream

“People talk about their dream life,” says Tara. “I’m blessed to live mine every day and share it with so many people.”

If you want to experience being on top of the world, there’s no better place than from the back of a gentle Clydesdale at the Covell Ranch. To book your ride, visit www.covellsclydesdaleranch.com.

This article about riding Clydesdales in California at the Covell Ranch appeared in the July 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Although machines have mostly replaced horsepower, draft horses are still valued and admired today. They are imposing, usually standing over 16 hands high. These heavy horse breeds feature massive bone, large hooves, and incredible strength.
Along with these powerful physical characteristics, draft horses have another quality in abundance: gentleness, which is another reason they have been beloved family horses for generations.

Let’s meet six fabulous draft breeds!

Belgian

We all know draft horses are impressive in size, but one towers above the rest. Big Jake, a Belgian gelding who stands just under 21 hands high, currently holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest living horse.

Belgians have earned a reputation for being gentle giants thanks to their kind dispositions and imposing size. They originally came from Belgium, and they’ve been used as farm horses in the United States since the early part of the 20th century. They are easily recognized by their chestnut coloring and flaxen manes and tails.

Clydesdale

If you’ve ever tuned in to watch a Super Bowl game, then you’ve seen the beautiful (and oh-so-famous) Budweiser Clydesdales. They have been a staple of Super Bowl commercials for many years, and the horses draw crowds at appearances all across the country.

Clydesdales originally came from Scotland in an area called Clyde (hence the name). The breed is known for its eye-catching appearance: usually bay, brown, or black, with extensive white markings that include tall stockings and wide blazes.

Shire

The word “shire” means county, and England is dotted with places like Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Hertfordshire. England is also the birthplace of shires of another kind: Shire horses.

Shires are tall—over 16.2 hands—and are found in bay, brown, black, gray, and occasionally chestnut. But while extravagant white markings are desirable in Clydesdales, they aren’t considered ideal in Shires.

While Big Jake the Belgian may hold the record for the tallest living horse, a Shire horse named Sampson (born in 1846) still holds the distinction of being the tallest horse ever recorded, at 21.2 1⁄2 hands high—that’s 7 feet, 2 1⁄2 inches at the withers!

Percheron

The Percheron is a French breed (its name comes from the La Perche region of France), and it’s usually black or gray. Their versatility and strength make them a top choice of draft enthusiasts. The Percheron is said to have been influenced by the Arabian at some point in its history.

Percherons have been a very popular draft breed in the United States since the late 1800s.

American Cream Draft

An American breed, the American Cream Draft was developed in Iowa during the first half of the 20th century. The American Cream Draft Horse Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and the breed had its moment in the spotlight when a team of American Cream Drafts proudly participated in the Rose Parade on January 1, 2019.

As you might also guess from the name, American Cream Drafts are cream-colored (technically the color is called “champagne”), with pink skin and amber-colored eyes. The foundation of the breed was a cream-colored draft-type mare named Old Granny, and in 1946 it was estimated that 98 percent of registered American Cream Drafts traced their lineage to her. These horses are quite rare, with less than 400 registered, but efforts are underway to increase awareness for this fascinating breed.

Suffolk Punch

The Suffolk Punch has a long history in England, where it was developed as a reliable horse for farm work. The breed is still prized today for its quiet temperament and hardy nature.

In appearance, Suffolk Punch horses are a bit more compact than some of
the other draft breeds. They are always chestnut (or chesnut to the registry, who spells the color without a “t”) with minimal white markings, although the exact shade of chestnut varies depending on the individual.

As you can see, there’s a lot to love about draft horses! With their fascinating histories, record-setting size, and kind hearts, draft horses are truly awesome individuals.

This article about various draft horse breeds originally appeared in the September/October 2019 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Michelle Speck of Hillsboro, Mo., is a supervisor at historic Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Mo. Owned by the Busch family, Grant’s Farm is 281 acres of rides, shows, food, animals and even meet-and-greets with the Budweiser Clydesdales.

A lifetime horsewoman, Speck rides her own Quarter Horses in all-around events in her time off. Horse Illustrated chatted with her for a behind-the-scenes look at her job working with the world’s most famous horses.

Horse Illustrated: How did you get started working at Grant’s Farm?

Michelle Speck: I started part-time as a Clydesdale handler in the merchandise department between my junior and senior year of college, where I studied animal science. I would work with the Clydesdales, but I also coordinated photos with guests and worked in the gift shop. I did that for about five years, and in 2010 I came on full-time as a handler. Just recently I became a supervisor, but I still work with the horses.

What was your first impression of the Clydesdales?

They are powerful and majestic. I was amazed at how quiet they are.

What do you do with the Clydesdales?

They come to Grant’s Farm when they’re 6 months old until the end of their 3-year-old year. With the young ones, we teach them how to stand for the farrier, we give them baths, work on loading and unloading, catching them in the pasture—we really work on basic ground manners.

When they’re 3 years old, we start teaching them how to wear a bit and rig so they can get used to the harness. At the end of their 3-year-old year, we send them back to our other location in Boonville, Mo., to start the hitch training.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

I love working with the babies, and then being able to see them when they’re out on the road, at parades and on the big screen in commercials. It’s really cool to be able to recognize them in the commercials.

Why do you think Clydesdales are so magnetic to so many people?

They’re just iconic. They’re so pristine and majestic coming down the road. You can hear the hoof beats on the pavement and you can feel it in your heart. Everybody is in awe when they see them—no matter if you’re a kid or an adult.

What’s the most common question people ask about the Clydesdales?

They ask how much the horses weigh—and the answer is 2,000 pounds.

How can guests see the Clydesdales at Grant’s Farm?

They can see them out in the pasture and around the barn, and we have Clydesdale Experience tours where guests can get up close and personal with the horses.

What’s it like to work with them?

They’re a little different from other breeds. They’re actually a lot easier to work with. Even though they’re bigger, they’re gentle giants, and they’re a lot quieter. They’re fun to be around. Each one has their own personality, like other horses do. They’re just a little bigger.

Budweiser Clydesdale Facts:

• Each horse can pull twice its body weight—4,000 pounds per horse.
• Anheuser-Busch has around 125 Clydesdales at any given time.
• The horses’ most distinctive feature is the hair around their legs and feet, called feathers.
• A Clydesdale’s hoof is about the size of a dinner plate.
• In 1933. August Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch gifted two six-horse hitches of champion Clydesdales to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, and Anheuser-Busch has been connected with the breed ever since.
• All of their harnesses are custom-made for Anheuser-Busch.
• They travel in three custom semi-trucks around the country.
• There are three traveling hitches and the Clydesdales live at two base locations in Missouri.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated.

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A beloved and iconic part of American culture, the Budweiser Clydesdales made their first-ever appearance on April 7, 1933 as a gift from August Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition. Long before this, the Clydesdale was finding its beginnings on the farms of Scotland.

Descended from the warhorses of the Middle Ages, the Clydesdale had been given the task of working the fields of Scottish farms.

These early Clydesdales were present throughout Scotland’s tumultuous history, dutifully plowing the land while wars for the country’s independence were fought all around it.

It wasn’t until the 18th century that the Clydesdale began to look just as it does today. The breed’s official debut under the name “Clydesdale” (which is the former name of modern-day Lanarkshire, where the breed was developed) was in 1826 at the Glasgow Exhibition.

In 1877, the Clydesdale Horse Society was founded in Great Britain. Just two years later, American farmers in the Midwest who were using the breed to plow and haul heavy loads joined together to form the American Clydesdale Association. The name was later changed to the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA, and now includes members in both the U.S. and Canada.

While not as popular as the Belgian and Percheron, the Clydesdale was in some demand in America during the late 1800s. It was not until the arrival of mechanized machinery that the Clydesdale’s popularity—along with that of the other draft breeds—begin to slip. Powerful workhorses were replaced on farms by motorized tractors, which did not have the same maintenance requirements as the big horse, and could do a lot more work in less time.

As the need for Clydesdales lessened, the breed’s numbers began to dwindle. A handful of breeders dedicated to the breed hung on, however, and continued to keep the Clydesdale alive as a show and exhibition horse. This is a job that the Clydesdale continues to excel at today.

Today’s Workhorse

While the Clydesdale’s original job of hauling coal and plowing fields has ended for the most part, Clydesdales still have an important place in the horse world. People dedicated to the breed love to show off the beauty and strength of these horses at Clydesdale shows.

The most popular competitive events for Clydesdales involve hitches, where teams of anywhere from one to six horses are harnessed to demonstrate their abilities. There are numerous classes in this category, including single cart, tandem, team hitch, and a hitch called a “unicorn,” which is a team of three horses: one in front and two in back.

Halter classes are also a big part of Clydesdale shows. The size, substance and quality of each Clydesdale is evaluated by a judge in the halter ring. Clydesdales can be ridden, too, and there are classes that demonstrate the breed’s talents under saddle, from dressage to trail obstacles.

While the show ring is the most popular place to see a Clydesdale, there are still a number of them doing traditional draft work to earn their keep. Although the Belgian is the favored workhorse among the Amish, some families still use Clydesdales to work their fields.

A lot has changed for the breed since the early part of the century. After almost disappearing when tractors took over on American farms, the breed’s numbers have grown steadily. Six hundred new Clydesdales are registered each year with the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA. While the breed’s growth has been slow, it is constant as more people discover the charms of this very special breed.

This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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