Few brand mascots carry the same prestige and nostalgia as the Budweiser Clydesdales. For decades, they have represented one of the world’s leading alcohol brands in television ads, public appearances, and print media.
Although these majestic animals are some of the most beloved in the world, many do not know much about the horses outside of their lives on screen. Read on to learn ten interesting facts you may not know about the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
1. The Clydesdale tradition is almost 100 years old
What began as a gift to August A. Busch, Sr., the President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch, turned into a decades-long tradition. After receiving a six-Clydesdale hitch from his sons, Busch saw the marketing potential of a horse-drawn beer wagon.
To celebrate the end of prohibition in 1933, those six horses traveled to New York City to deliver a case of Budweiser beer to Governor Alfred E. Smith at the Empire State Building. The spectacle drew thousands, and the tour continued through New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.
Now, 92 years later, the Clydesdales continue to symbolize the company’s rich history, appreciation for tradition, and commitment to quality.
2. They have strict eligibility requirements
Their breed alone is not enough to become a Budweiser Clydesdale. In order to join the hitch (or team), a horse must:
- Be a gelding (a neutered male horse) with an “even temperament”
- Be at least four years old
- Stand at least 18 hands (72 inches) at the shoulder when fully mature
- Weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds
- Be bay in color (red-brown coat with black mane and tail)
- Have four white stocking feet
- Have a blaze of white on his face
3. They are a result of delicate breeding
Warm Springs Ranch, located in Boonville, Missouri, is the official breeding facility for Budweiser Clydesdales. The 300-acre property features a mare/stallion and foaling barn, a veterinary lab, and 10 pastures, each with a customized walk-in shelter.
This state-of-the-art facility is home to nearly 100 Clydesdales, from foals to stallions.
4. They begin training at a young age
Prospective Clydesdale foals attend a “prep school” in St. Louis at five to eight months old. There, they learn basic grooming and handling, become familiar with the pulling equipment, and get comfortable with humans through meet-and-greets with public tour groups.
They begin their final step in the training process at a facility in New Hampshire at age four, where they learn to pull the wagon and work together with the hitch team. They initially learn the rein cues from the hitch driver and begin pulling with smaller hitch teams before working their way up to training with a full eight-horse team.
5. They travel in comfort
The Clydesdales spend roughly ten months of the year on the road, making appearances at special events, parades, and more. Ten horses, a classic beer wagon, and other essential equipment are transported in three 50-foot tractor-trailers for each trip.
Cameras are mounted inside the trailers so that the drivers can monitor their precious cargo during transport. To ensure a comfortable ride, the trailers are equipped with air-cushioned suspension and thick rubber flooring. Additionally, the teams stop at local stables each night so that the horses can get proper rest.
6. Their harnesses are handcrafted out of fine materials
The Budweiser Clydesdales dress to the nines for their public appearances. Their harnesses are handmade from patent leather and solid brass and stitched with pure linen. Each horse receives a custom-fitted harness that weighs approximately 130 lbs.
7. They have a big appetite
The large horses come with an appetite to match. Each hitchhorse reportedly consumes 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay, and up to 30 gallons of water on a warm day. Anheuser-Busch employs an entire team to oversee their diet and nutrition.
8. Their drivers undergo extensive training
Part of the entourage that travels with the famous animals are the hitchdrivers. These individuals undergo extensive training before they are trusted to assume their role. They must have expert skill and physical strength to drive the combined 12 tons of wagon and horses. The 40 pounds of lines held by the driver plus the tension of the horses’ pulling creates a weight of more than 75 pounds.
9. They have meticulous grooming and care regimens
To properly prepare the Clydesdales for their appearances, a team of dedicated groomers oversees their care. Before being hitched up to the beer wagon, each horse is bathed, brushed, and braided. Ultimately, this takes a team of seven handlers up to five hours and costs roughly $6,000 per day to get a team of eight horses show-ready.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the grooming and care of the Budweiser Clydesdales in the video below.
10. They starred in the top-voted Super Bowl ad of 2025
One week ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Budweiser debuted a heartwarming television ad titled “First Delivery.” The commercial featured a Clydesdale foal who is eager to join the full-grown hoses for a delivery but is not yet large enough.
Each year, USA Today’s Ad Meter conducts a public poll to rank the Super Bowl commercials based on viewers’ votes. Budweiser’s “First Delivery” earned the top spot this year for the first time since 2015. Watch the adorable video below!