Here Come the Clydesdales

It was quite a sight to see with three Budweiser 50-foot tractor trailers and eight gorgeous horses pulling a hitch through the parking lot. Jewel-Osco, 507 E. Woodlawn Ave., hosted the world famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses in their parking lot Nov. 27 from noon to 2 p.m. 

The hitch trotted around the parking lot for 15 minutes before stopping so everyone could take pictures and get close to the massive horses.

Seeing these beautiful animals up close was amazing. I noticed all the small details that one can miss when seen from afar. Tiny roses placed carefully in their mane, small bows tied to their tails, and the beautiful harnesses. 

My personal favorite was King, the Dalmatian. He sat regally on the wagon taking in all the crowds and didn't bark once. Not only are the horses well trained, but the dog was too. A beautiful sight in La Grange Park.

Here are some interesting facts out about the horses and their history:

• They debuted April 7, 1933. They were a gift from the Busch sons to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition.
• The Clydesdales have appeared in two presidential inaugural parades; Harry Truman's in 1949 and Bill Clinton's in 1993.
• In 1950 the Clydesdales received their own mascot: the Dalmatian. The Dalmatian's original purpose was to guard the hitch (and protect the beer) as the driver made the beer deliveries.
• Groups of ten Clydesdales travel together as a hitch team. Eight are hitched together to pull the wagon and two travel as alternates.
• Each harness weighs approximately 130 pounds.
• Each Clydesdale is capable of pulling a one-ton load at 5 mph.
• To qualify a Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four years old, must stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, be bay in color, have four white stocking feet, a blaze of white on the face and a black mane and tail.
• Each 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.
• There are five traveling teams that are on the road at least ten months out of every year.
• There are cameras in the trailers (with monitors in the cabs) to enable the drivers to keep a watchful eye on their precious cargo while traveling.
• The trailers are equipped with air-cushion suspension and thick rubber flooring to ease the stress on the horses.
• The team stops each night at local stables so they can rest.

Source: Budweiser's official Website and Simply Marvelous: The Wonderful World of Horses.