Tue, 07/17/2012 - 8:00am
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area the week of July 30th 2012, including being stabled at Heritage Hill State Historical Park and rounding out their stay with a procession through downtown Green Bay leading to Taste On Broadway presented by Citizens Bank.
The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon multiple times while in Green Bay. The “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will make an appearance at Bullfrogs Stadium, parade down Washington St. over the Main St Bridge ending at Taste on Broadway presented by Citizens Bank and parade around Heritage Hill all in the Green Bay area.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Green Bay is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show. Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands – or six feet – at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.
A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day. Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.
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