The hooves of Clydesdales are the size of a dinner plate
Giant horses need proportionately giant feet to spread their weight on a wider surface. The large hooves of Clydesdales provide the necessary foundation and support to their bodies in order to avoid diseases like navicular.
Contrary to other draft breeds, Clydesdales were purposely bred to have particularly wide feet. This trait served as an advantage in the wet Clyde Valley, where horses had to work on soft farmlands all year round. The excellent shock-absorbing ability of such large hooves also makes Clydesdales ideal for pulling a carriage or parading in the city.
Shoeing these horses is no average task either. A single horseshoe for an adult Clydesdale weighs around 5 pounds (2.27 kg), which is four times heavier than a racehorse’s shoe.
