If ever there is a signature look, it must be the feet of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Budweiser brought one of their traveling horse teams to Plymouth this week in advance of America's Hometown Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Budweiser says on their website about the Clydesdales that: "Farmers living in the 19th century along the banks of the River Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland, bred the Great Flemish Horse, the forerunner of the Clydesdale. These first draft horses pulled loads of more than 1 ton at a walking speed of five miles per hour. Soon their reputation spread beyond the Scottish borders. In the mid-1800s, Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to the United States where the draft horses resumed their existence on farms. Today, the Clydesdales are used primarily for breeding and show. To qualify for one of the traveling hitches, a Budweiser Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four years of age, stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, have a bay coat, four white legs, a white blaze, and a black mane and tail. Each hitch horse will consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water per day."
On this evening stroll through town the team delivered cases of beer to bars and restaurants. A good crowd turned out to watch as the horses were suited up and hitched to the wagon.
Part of the team is standing calmly waiting for the gig to begin - another show, another town, more happy people.
Even non-human species seemed to enjoy the activity.
Seated high atop the wagon, this dalmatian gets to ride through town in the driver's seat alongside two of the handlers.
Note: My point-and-shoot photos of this event were of such poor quality that even the magic of post-processing couldn't save them. Taking out all the color at least made them usable for this blog post.
No comments:
Post a Comment