I have been raising Clydesdale horses for over 25 years, but took a break over the last few years. This year I plan to breed 3-5 mares for spring 2009 foals. I have also purchased a real nice pedigreed, weanling stud colt that will be my herd sire in two more years. Right now, I am going in two directions with the breeding:
1. I will continue to produce a high quality bay Clydesdale, with good solid bone, and work stature.
2. I am also continue work on a purebred Clydesdale with lots of solid white, similar to that of a gypsy horse, but in a full sized Clydesdale.
In the spring of 2009, we will be launching a new program called Adopt a Clydesdale. The program allows people with an interest in preserving the working Clydesdales, but do not have the space to keep one, to assist in my efforts in keeping this magnificent heavy horse breed around for future generations. In the 1960s the Clydesdales became an endangered species, and was almost lost if it was not for the efforts of a few devoted breeders. It remained on the list till the late 1980s. With todays costs constantly rising with every trip to the feed mill, I am seeking new ways to keep the old lines going (taken from the lyrics from Jethro Tulls Heavy Horses song) so that the true Clydesdale work horse, does not fade away.
I just love this quote:
"Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... In short, horses do naturally what humans can pass a lifetime without ever mastering."
- Mary Midkiff
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