Budweiser Clydesdales: History of the Most Popular Draft Horses in North America

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The NFL’s annual Super Bowl is the biggest television and marketing event in North America every year. Among the many popular icons associated with America’s most famous sporting tradition is the beloved Budweiser Clydesdales hitch team.

These legendary draft horses have a fascinating history, and their training and the high standards upheld for them have long represented American work ethic and prosperity. Read on to learn more about how the Budweiser Clydesdales came to be, and their continued role in modern American equestrian culture.

History of the Budweiser Clydesdales

The Budweiser brand and Clydesdale horses have been linked in American history since the 19th century. The parent company of Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch, was founded around the same time Clydesdales were first imported to North America in the 1840s and 1850s. ^[1][2]

When Prohibition ended in the early 1930s, Anheuser-Busch introduced the first Budweiser Clydesdale hitch team to celebrate the return of legal beer.

The Clydesdale Breed

Clydesdales are a heavy draft-horse breed that originated near the River Clyde in Lanarkshire, Scotland. ^[1] These gentle giants are tall and well-muscled, standing 17 to 18 hands high and weighing up to 2,000 lb (910 kg).

The Clydesdale’s most notable characteristics are its long leg feathers, attractive head, and high leg action. Clydesdales typically have a bay or black coat color with prominent white markings, especially on their heads and legs. ^[1]

Clydesdales were commonly used for agricultural and industrial work because of their size and impressive pulling abilities. The breed is characteristically known for being easy to train, social, and docile despite their massive size.

In 1879, the American Clydesdale Horse Association was formed, which was later succeeded by the Clydesdale Breeders of the United States. ^[1]

Anheuser-Busch & the Budweiser Clydesdales

Anheuser-Busch was founded in 1852 by George Schneider as The Bavarian Brewery. After facing financial difficulties, the brewery was acquired by Eberhard Anheuser in 1860. Adolphus Busch, a German immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1857, married Eberhard’s daughter, Lilly Anheuser, in 1861. ^[2]

Following his service in the Union Army during the Civil War, Busch joined his father-in-law’s brewery and began building the brand that would become Anheuser-Busch. ^[2]

Adolphus Busch and Lilly Anheuser’s son, August Anheuser Busch, Sr., became the president of Anheuser-Busch in 1913 after his father’s passing. ^[2]

In the spring of 1933, August Busch Sr. received a hitch team of six Clydesdales from his two sons. The Clydesdales were purchased from Patrick Shea, who owned Shea’s Brewery in Winnipeg, Canada. ^[3]

This notable gesture commemorated the end of Prohibition, marking the return of Anheuser-Busch beer to the American public. Since then, Budweiser has become a household name, famously renowned as “the king of beers.” ^[3]

Busch Sr. quickly realized his gifted horse-drawn beer wagon had powerful marketing potential. He sent a second six-horse Clydesdale team to New York City, where they attracted the attention of thousands of spectators as they made their way to the iconic Empire State Building. There, they presented a case of beer to New York Governor Alfred E. Smith as a thank you for his role in ending Prohibition. ^[3]

The Budweiser Clydesdale hitch team continued traveling to the Mid-Atlantic states and New England, winning the hearts of thousands of spectators along the way. They eventually made their way to Washington D.C. in April of 1933 to deliver one of the first cases of Budweiser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. ^[3]

Shortly after the Budweiser Clydesdales became an icon for the brand, they increased the hitch team size to eight and added a Dalmatian dog. Dalmatians are coach dogs, bred specifically as companions and signal dogs to keep pulling horses safe and calm in their travels. Since 1950, a Dalmatian dog has always traveled with the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch teams. ^[3]

Today, some of the Budweiser hitch teams are ten horses strong, making a grand spectacle as they travel across America. ^[3]

A Modern Media Icon

Since becoming Budweiser’s most recognizable icon in the early 1900s, the Budweiser Clydesdales persisted as a symbol of tradition for the brand. They have been featured in countless Budweiser ads, marketing campaigns, and, most famously, Super Bowl commercials.

In 2023, Anheuser-Busch celebrated the 90-year anniversary of the Budweiser Clydesdales, with events across the country marking their role in bringing people together and representing the brand. ^[4]

Since their debut, the hitch team has been a highlight at community events held at Anheuser-Busch’s 120 brewery facilities, as well as parades, festivals, and major sporting events. ^[4] They have also made appearances at Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games, including Opening Day, the Long Island Ducks game, and the MiLB All-Star Game. ^[5]

Budweiser aired its first Super Bowl commercial in 1975, but it was a far cry from the heartwarming Clydesdale ads seen today. Instead, the ad focused on the quality of the beer and the good times it could bring. ^[6]

A decade later, during Super Bowl XX in 1986, the Budweiser Clydesdales made their Super Bowl debut. The simple yet memorable ad featured the hitch team pulling a traditional beer wagon as Budweiser’s signature song, Here Comes the King, played in the background. The commercial was such a hit with audiences that by the 1990s, Budweiser ads became one of the most anticipated Super Bowl ads. ^[6]

Since then, Budweiser has aired more Super Bowl commercials than any other company. ^[4]

The Most Memorable Budweiser Clydesdale Campaigns

Today, Budweiser Clydesdale commercials are known for their uplifting messages, nostalgic appeal, and emotional storytelling—often tugging at viewers’ heartstrings while keeping beer promotion subtle.

Here are some of the most memorable campaigns that continue to resonate with audiences:

The Clydesdales Play Football

In 1996, the Budweiser Clydesdales starred in a widely beloved commercial featuring a game of football set against a stunning mountain backdrop.

According to Jeff Knapper, Anheuser-Busch’s Director of Heritage, the Clydesdale teams trained in Wyoming for six months to prepare for the commercial. Thanks to this rigorous training, about 95% of the horses’ actions in the ad were real.

The commercial ends with a humorous exchange between two cowboys watching the game. One asks, “Do they do this all the time?” The other replies, “Nah, they usually go for two.” ^[6]

The Clydesdales Play Fetch

In this charming and comical Super Bowl XLIII commercial from 2009, a Budweiser Clydesdale watches as a Dalmatian plays fetch with its human handler.

After the handler rewards the dog with a treat, the Clydesdale decides to join in. Trotting offscreen, he returns with a massive tree branch, proudly waiting for his treat while tossing his head. Amused, the handler mutters, “Show off!” to the clever horse, making for a lighthearted and memorable moment.

Budweiser Clydesdales & the American Dream

During Super Bowl XL, the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial “American Dream” delivered exactly what it was meant to — make viewers feel something. This commercial featured a Clydesdale foal who canters into the barn and puts his head through an adult Clydesdale harness.

Eager to prove himself, he walks forward, trying to pull the wagon just like the grown Clydesdales. Too small to move it alone, two adult Clydesdales subtly push the wagon from behind, making the foal believe he’s done it all by himself.

The heartwarming moment ends with the Clydesdale’s handler turning to the Dalmatian and saying, “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Training & Management

A dedicated team of grooms and handlers oversee Budweiser’s Clydesdale teams and make sure they are ready for their hundreds of annual public appearances. Not only do these horses get professional training, they are also treated like equine royalty both on the road and at home. ^[3]

In addition to top-of-the line veterinary and farriery care, an equine nutritionist oversees the Clydesdale’s diet. Each Clydesdale on the hitch team eats up to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals, and vitamins, up to 60 pounds of hay, and drinks up to 30 gallons of water each day. ^[3]

When not traveling, the touring Budweiser Clydesdales reside at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. Other horses involved in keeping the team active including foals, young drafts in training, and the breeding stallions and broodmares usually make their home at the Warm Springs Ranch breeding facility. ^[3]

The hitch team travels 10 months per year, accompanied by their grooms and other support staff. The Clydesdales and their equipment travel comfortably, like the celebrities they are, in one of three 50-foot air-cushion suspension trailers featuring thick rubber floor mats.

Drivers have cameras in the trailers so they can keep a watchful eye on these famous horses while on the road. The team also stops at local stables each night to rest. ^[3]

Drivers receive in-depth training before becoming an official Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch Driver. Hitch drivers need impressive physical strength and skill to drive the giant Clydesdales safely. The lines from the horses to the driver weigh 40 lb, and with additional tension from the horses, the driver needs to handle approximately 70 lb of total weight when driving the team. ^[3]

The Budweiser Clydesdales’ harnesses are handcrafted from patent leather, solid brass, and stitched with pure linen. Each harness is custom-fitted to its horse and weighs approximately 130 lb. During public appearances, the hitch team pulls Budweiser’s iconic red, white, and gold beer wagon, which weighs 12 tons in total. ^[7]

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Becoming a Budweiser Clydesdale

Budweiser breeds its own Clydesdales for the hitch team, and only a select few make the cut. To qualify, foals must meet strict requirements, ensuring they have the right size, temperament, and classic Budweiser Clydesdale appearance.

At five to eight months old, prospective Clydesdale foals attend a “prep school” a few hours away in St. Louis. There, they learn basic grooming and handling, become familiar with the pulling equipment, and even do meet-and-greets with public tour groups. ^[8]

At age four, they begin their final step in the training process at a facility in New Hampshire. Here, they learn to pull the wagon and work together with the hitch team. They learn the rein cues from the hitch driver and start out pulling with smaller hitch teams before working their way up to training with an eight-horse team.

In addition to demonstrating the right skills and temperament, Budweiser Clydesdales have specific aesthetic and conformational requirements. Each horse must be a bay gelding with:

• Four white stockings
• A white blaze
• A black mane and tail
• A minimum height of 18 hands

They also must weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 lb (820 – 1040 kg). ^[7]

Once selected for the team, new Budweiser Clydesdales are given a short name like Duke or Bud so the hitch driver can give them commands quickly. ^[7]

When determining a Clydesdale’s position in the hitch lineup, size is the key factor. The biggest and strongest horses are placed in the back, as they provide the most pulling power.

The flashiest, high-stepping horses are positioned at the front, since they are the first seen by the public. Front-runner horses must also demonstrate trust and harmony with the driver, as they lead the team and set the pace. ^[8]

Public Appearances

The Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, home to the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch teams, is open to the public. Visitors can take guided tours to meet the famous Clydesdales, learn about their history, and get an up-close look at their home stables. ^[8]

The Budweiser Clydesdale breeding facility, Warm Springs Ranch, is a 300-plus acre farm in the heart of Missouri where you can also see these horses up close. The property features dedicated barns for mares, stallions, and foaling, along with a veterinary lab and 10 pastures that each have a customized walk-in shelter. Over 70 foals, broodmares, and stallion Clydesdales call this ranch home at any given time. ^[9]

Since the Budweiser Clydesdales frequently travel to different events, you can also check out their hitch schedule to see where they are traveling next. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Budweiser Clydesdales:

Summary

The Budweiser Clydesdales have become far more than a symbol of beer, evolving into a powerful representation of American work ethic, entrepreneurship, and tradition.

• From their Scottish origins to their role in celebrating the end of Prohibition, the Budweiser Clydesdales have been woven into American history for nearly a century.
• Their association with Anheuser-Busch helped establish the hitch teams as enduring icons of strength, craftsmanship, and prosperity.
• Through cross-country tours, public appearances, and world-famous Super Bowl commercials, the Clydesdales have captured public imagination and reinforced Budweiser’s brand identity.
• Behind the spectacle is an intensive program of breeding, training, nutrition, and care that reflects exceptionally high standards of horsemanship and animal welfare.
• Today, the Budweiser Clydesdales remain a beloved symbol of nostalgia and excellence, bridging historic tradition with modern American equestrian culture.