|
|
 |
|
|
|
Our amazing horses mean the world to us and are part of our family. We specialise in Clydesdale and Shire horses due to their fantastic versatility and unrivalled good nature. We know you will enjoy them as we do..
|
|
|
About Clydesdales und Shires
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Clydesdale and Shire horses are, to us and to many in the equine world, very special animals. Their image as a draught horse is forever etched in the minds of our older generations, yet these old farm hands can equally understand the emphasis we put on their ridden use as the Clydesdale and Shire are both considered rare breeds and, as such, we hope that our work here, encouraging folk to try riding them, will ensure the breed's future is bright!!........ Our horses are all wonderful, kind personalities, and here I am going to introduce you to their individual characters!
|
|
|
|
|
The Clydesdale Horse
|
|
|
|
Most of our horses are Clydesdales as we, as a business, started life in Scotland, the home of the Clydesdale horse. This wonderful versatile breed originated in the valley of the River Clyde, hence the name!.... The Clydesdale Horse Society, the first breed society, was established in 1877, almost a century and a half after the breed first began to evolve. The primary purpose of the breed was literally as a farm work horse - true horse power prior to mechanisation. From the early days the reputation of the horse grew considerably and the horse fairs held over several days in the Lanarkshire area attracted buyers from far and wide looking for draught horses to fulfill a variety of roles in the haulage field. The major cities of Scotland and the North of England and Northern Ireland housed as many Clydesdales as the agricultural areas did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Early drawings of Clydesdales show a chunky, solid coloured horse, much shorter than todays giants, and close coupled ie short in the back... by the time early black and white photography developed, we see mainly dark coloured horses with dark legs, still short coupled and very powerful.
Gradually white legs became fashionable and the breed as we see it now became more clearly defined.The vast majority of Clydesdales are solid coloured bay or brown with four white legs, the long, silky feathering around the feet being a distinct feature, with soft, not coarse hair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The roan colour now commonly seen in the show ring was, for a time, frowned upon by the purists, however is now very popular with almost white horses doing well in show situations!!
Personally I prefer the entire colours with their beautiful white legs and faces, whilst Tim loves the roans.
|
|
|
|
|
As with many things in life, fashion hits the showrings too with some judges favouring one, some another "type" of horse, however for us within the ridden world soundness of limb, kindness of character and strength of physical fitness far outweight the colour, hence the ridden use overrides show "colour" popularity and ensures that any good Clydesdale has a sense of purpose in life!!
|
|
|
|
All the heavy horses were affected after the Second World War as mechanisation, in the form of tractors, appeared, with numbers dwindling until the sixties and seventies. The breed was kept alive by a number of mainly farming folk who had strong sentimental ties to these wonderful horses and happily now numbers have increased although the breed is still classified as 'At Risk' by the Rare Breeds Society. The majority of Clydesdales currently being bred within the UK are for showing, hence the breed has increased in size over the decades.
|
|
|
|
However those horses who had eg two black legs and were therefore perceived as "not of show quality" were often sent to the "knackers yard", whereas now, as the value of the Clydesdale increases due mainly to this ridden use, these wonderful horses have a use, a value to us within the normal equestrian leisure market; as the actual monetary value increases the number of horses being bred increases, which therefore increases the numbers generally....just what we want!
|
|
|
|
This lovely lad came to us whilst we were in Scotland, originally called Major his name had to have some change as we already owned a Major...being careful not to wreak superstition re changing a horse's name we now call him Newmaj!! Dont ask!! He's a lovely bay roan, is fab at his work, is kind, honest, and sweet. He has one "blue" eye, and grows a great moustache in winter!!
|
|
|
|
Emma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emma is our largest mare at 18hh, this is her with one of her biggest fans Laura having fun on the beach on Skye and in one of her many appearances at Blair Horse Trials. She is a wonderful riding horse, as she is quite fast if bouncy, jumps well too, and is one of our mothers-to-be ....if all goes well! Emma, although every medical care was taken, ended up losing twins in January this year which was devastating as she'd been given a scan to ensure she was only carrying one foal and totally vet checked before her pregnancy. Mares rarely carry twins full term so this was therefore not unusual but we were devastated - at least she was OK. Fingers crossed all will go well this year as we are very fond of Emma, she's been with us for many years! Will keep the news page updated!
|
|
|
|
|
This wonderful Clydesdale, my best mate, is one of the original team which started life as a tourist dray operation on Skye many years ago. He is an amazing horse, rides, drives single and pairs, does anything - dressage moves, you ask, he'll give it his best shot. He's arguably the brightest horse we have, and although he's now an old boy, he doesn't know it yet...he has earnt my absolute admiration. He stands 17.2hh, and still has plenty of galloping life in him, although his years do slow him down a tad at times. Is a great all round horse for riders of any ability.
|
|
|
|
|
Tommy
|
|
|
|
This boy has been here since the business moved into riding. He's now 9 and gorgeous although in the past his slightly pushy character has earned him the name "Asbo boy!" He is a great horse for the serious rider as is responsive to a couple of half halts then becomes magic! Is not kind to novices I adore him as I love training him in the school, he so wants to please has super paces and jumps well. Standing almost 18hh he's one of our largest horses, rides very well on any terrain, as do most of our horses...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This super horse's posh name is Golden Jubilee although having met him for just a few minutes you'll immediately know why we chose this nickname.....it chose him! He's a real character, a very kind and trusting fellow whose ability to sleep never ceases to amaze us...we have so many photos of us sitting and lying on him in the field, he just does not care one hoot!! He's a big guy standing almost 18hh and a lovely roan, is simply a sweet horse to ride who'll do his best for you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have to say, having ridden him alot over the summer, that he is THE fastest Clydesdale I have EVER ridden both for acceleration and top end! On that note, that's why he won the Marymass Open Clydesdale Race at Irvine this year! He's incredibly sure footed and a pleasure to ride. If you can ever prise Tim off his back you may get to ride him! He's a lovely roan with a pretty honest face, and loves being at the front of rides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gypsy
|
|
|
|
This pretty mare has now been working with us for 18 months, and is a very beautiful horse who has been working very well, having taken part in many of our day rides and our recent holiday ride. Much loved by many, (Andy particularly!) she can have mareish moments but in general is a sweet natured girl! She stands 17.2hh, is a gorgeous dark bay, and is kind to her riders!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This sweet horse whom I call my "hippy horse" because of his wild bushy mane, is a really lovely boy...he came to us as an unhandled four year old, and initially was unimpressed with the work ethic having been allowed to run free, but having grasped the benefits (food??!!) he has proved to himself and the world that he is a reliable, kind, workmanlike lad who just gets on with it. He stands 17.1hh and is a gorgeous bay roan with a flaxen tail. One of his best friends is Steven who loves having him to stay over winter...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prince
|
|
|
|
This dear old horse is probably our oldest horse, he's one of our two Shires and is owned by Carol and Richard, remaining here with his friends permanently. He's a big lad standing almost 18hh, is a bright bay, with a lovely face. He rides and drives, is steady and reliable yet can put on a turn of speed if required!! He and Max were my original boys, and they will forever be special guys!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charlie
|
|
|
|
Originally our stallion, Charlie was gelded (poor soul!!) in August of 2006 as we found handling a stallion, even a really good one, in a Riding Centre situation had its moments! Equally he was stressing about his mares, it wasn't fair, and now he's a much happier person! He's put on condition this summer and we are seeing him working well and being much more settled. He's a lovely horse to ride with super paces in the school, and is a kind, intelligent lad.
PS.: He is also Lugg's dad!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brutus
|
|
|
|
Bru as he is fondly know as, is a lovely horse who, like Max, has not realised that he's getting older!! He's about 16, we dont know for sure, and is a Clydesdale/Shire cross. He's very popular with many of our experienced riders as he's well schooled and forward going, another horse who likes to be out front on rides! Loves the beach, rides and drives..is a super guy easy to admire and love!
|
|
|
|
|
This little mare (she's 16.3hh) has been with us since last summer, when she eventually joined the Migration ride and I have to say we felt so proud of her! She's a sweet horse, a lovely light bay, with a kind attitude to life, and is our other "Pregnant Lady" expecting her first foal (with us at any rate) in March/April which we are very excited about. She enjoys her work and is very settled here in Cumbria. We'll keep you updated on the whole foal situation as the tale unfolds!
|
|
|
|
|
|
This lovely dark bay little horse came to us from Ireland, where he'd been in a field virtually untouched until he was 5 years old. He therefore had his fair share of attitude, but working quietly with him has produced a super little riding horse.He stands 17hh, and is beautifully put together. He's still "Mr Sensitive" and demands we cuddle him alot, has oodles of character, and is a popular choice with our riders!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Little Prince
|
|
|
|
This quality young horse joined us from Cambridge where he had been living with our friend Nicci. Her change of job meant we were lucky to take charge of him. He is a lively soul with the best intentions. As he matures his potential as an excellent school and riding horse is growing with him. Alan has spent alot of time with him and has brought him on leaps and bounds in the past 6 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phantom
|
|
|
|
This young horse has wonderful paces and has been with us for a couple of years now. He's currently 4 years old and stands at 17.3hh, a beautiful bay colour much like Tommy, his half brother. He is not in work yet although has been backed and comes in daily for his treatment for sarcoids (see below). If this proves successful we hope to have him in work asap!
We dont dwell too much on breeding, bloodlines etc but we do have several horses from the Colessie stud, where Ronnie Black is a quiet supporter, always helpful if I ask for advice!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eddie van Halen
|
|
|
|
Eddie has recently joined us from Eskmeals, where the midges has played havoc with his sweet itch, so we're going to try and help him overcome this next summer!! He's a Shire, our second one, stands 17.2hh, five years old, a lovely bay colour, and has already been well schooled so we feel he will be a welcome addition to the team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ride with us today and experience our passion for Clydesdales......
|
|
|
|
(c) 2004-2008 Cumbrian Heavy Horses
|
|
|
|
|
|
