I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales on November 11, 2017, during the WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo. After I received permission to film the procedure of hitching up the horses for their show in front of a sold-out audience, I was exposed to a very cold wind for about an hour while holding the video camera and trying to stay out of the way, attempting to position myself for good angles.
I returned in 2019 when the WRCA folks gave me the liberty of documenting all of the rodeo action. I was happy to record the Budweiser team in action three times, as you can watch below.
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That first exhibition in the arena turned out to be a real doozy! More than 700,000 views at the time of this writing. One of the handlers had informed me that they had two youngsters on the team who had quite a bit of training on the farm, but this would be their first appearance in front of an audience. If you take the time to watch the following two appearances, you will see the youngsters did just fine despite the loud announcers and such.
It is due to many comments on that video that I decided to create this page in order to have a short link to answer some questions without having to repeat myself over and over again. I will respond to more comments as I have time. If you want to reach me directly, use the Contact Us link.
Question: Why do the Budweiser Clydesdale horses have no tails?
Answer: Via Google Search in AI Mode
Historically, the Budweiser Clydesdales had their tails "docked" (partially or fully amputated) to prevent them from getting tangled in the harness or reins of the beer wagons they pull. NPR +2 However, in September 2023, Anheuser-Busch announced it had discontinued this practice following years of pressure from animal rights groups like PETA. NPR +2
Reasons for the Practice
Safety Tradition: Historically, draft horse owners docked tails so the long hair wouldn't catch in the driving equipment, which could cause the horse to spook or the driver to lose control.
Cosmetic "Look": Over time, the short tail became a "cosmetic fashion" for certain draft breeds in competitions and shows to create a cleaner, more uniform appearance. Hygiene: Some breeders claimed it helped keep the horses cleaner during breeding and birthing. NPR +6
Current Status
Practice Ended: Anheuser-Busch officially stopped tail docking in early 2023.
Modern Alternatives: For parades and events, the now-intact tails are often formed into buns and adorned with ribbons, which achieves the same "clean" look without amputation.
Certification: After ending the practice, the Budweiser Clydesdales received animal welfare certification from American Humane. NPR +5
Would you like to know more about the care and training of the Budweiser Clydesdales?
AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
I copied the text from the AI search that included links to references for more details. I think it would be a good idea to see the fresh AI results, including the reference articles, for a deep dive. Here is an easy link. - Why do the Budweiser Clydesdale horses have no tails?
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