Extraordinary Stories From An Ordinary Guy: The "The Magnificent Clydesdales Of Budweiser" Story

Monday, September 18, 2017

The "The Magnificent Clydesdales Of Budweiser" Story

The Clydesdale to the left is having his legs combed while
the one to the right is having his tack put in place.

It was an ordinary day. Standing next to over 2,000 pounds of magnificent animal behind Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Baseball Stadium. He has just been fitted with his tack which weighs over 130 pounds. The tack, or harness, is handcrafted with solid brass, patent leather, and stitched with pure linen thread. It is made especially to fit any Clydesdale; however, collars come in various sizes and must be individually fitted to the Clydesdales like a finely tailored suit.

One of three trucks carrying the world famous Budweiser
Clydesdales and the easily recognizable beer wagon.

The tack for each horse can cost as much as $10,000 to $12,000; perhaps much more than a finely tailored suit. I read in the newspaper a few days ago that the famous Budweiser Clydesdales were going to appear at The Clip over the weekend. Knew immediately that Carol and I would be in attendance since she owned a horse while growing up and just loved viewing the steeds of Budweiser. We arrived just as the famous red tractor trailers began to open on the south side of the ballpark.

A 2,000 pound Clydesdale is led from his stall in
the trailer to prepare for the eight-horse team.

Place was already crowded in the front awaiting the team of horses. We parked and I told Carol we may be able to watch the horses being hitched to the beer wagon if we walk around to the south side of the ballpark. Sure enough, we rounded the stadium and there was a big crowd lining one side of the driveway, waiting for the horsed to exit the trailers. Clydesdales originated in the early 19th century when farmers who lived along the banks of the River Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland imported a few Great Flemish horses and mated them with local mares. Thus, the Clydesdales were born.

The Budweiser beer wagon.

In order to be a Budweiser Clydesdale a horse must stand at least 18 hands high (6 feet tall), be a gelding (a neutered male) at least 4 years old, have a bay coat, four white stockings, a blaze of white on the face, a black mane, a black tail and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds. Now, I know these facts since the fellow standing in front of me with the microphone, dressed in the neat red uniform, is telling all of us who gathered in front of the trailers to get a look at the horses. He also told us that each horse consumes 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, vitamins, 50-60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water each day.

This guy is all ready to be placed in
his spot to transport the wagon.

The trailers we see in front of us are one of three traveling hitches which are based in St. Louis, MO; Fort Collins, CO; and Merrimack, NH. Each traveling hitch consists of ten horses, the red, white and gold beer wagon and other essential pieces of equipment which are housed in three 50-foot tractor-trailors which have air cushioned suspension and thick rubber flooring. This hitch has been traveling in the local area with nightly stops at a local stable so the horses can rest. As we watched each horse exit their trailer we were told their names and how much they weighed. After having their entire body brushed and the long white hair on their legs combed, the tack was placed on them and they were led to the wagon. Their position on the wagon was based on their age, weight and training. Wasn't long before "Barley", the wagon's Dalmatian was led from the trailer to a grassy area and then to a spot where his harness bearing the Budweiser symbol was place on him and he was lifted onto the wagon where he took his spot next to the two drivers.

The first of eight spots has been filled with the first horse.

The fellow with the mic told us that driving the hitch required quite a bit of physical strength since the leather lines weigh 40 pounds and the tension of the 12 tons of wagon and horses creates over 75 pounds. Rigorous training is required to be able to sit on the wagon seat and assume the prestigious role of "Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch Driver." Well, the hitch has begun to move and I have my camera ready. So exciting to watch these eight magnificent Clydesdales pull the shining cart with driver's and "Barley" sitting proudly on the seat. I hope my photographs can show half the excitement I feel at the time. Gotta go ... here they come. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.