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 from Tuesday February 12, 2007 to Wednesday February 21, 2007, including appearances in Aphrodite, Terreanians, Cleopatra and Houmas Parades.
The eight-horse Hitch will be available for daily public viewing at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, where they will be stabled for the duration of their visit. Harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon, they will participate in several local carnival activities. On 2/16/07, the “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will participate in the Krewe of Aphrodite. The parade begins at 6:00PM. They will also participate in Terreanians on 2/18/07 at 11:00Am, Cleopatra on 2/19/07at 6:00PM and Houmas on 2/20/07 at 11:00AM. In the event of inclement weather, the horses will not appear and cannot reschedule.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Houma, sponsored by Buquet Distributing Company, is one of 300 made annually by the five 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, weight an average of 2000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white stockings, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important, as hitch horses often 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 dog. 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.
Budweiser Clydesdale traveling hitches are based in St. Louis, MO, Menifee, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA and Merrimack, NH. The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the following Anheuser-Busch breweries: St. Louis, MO, Merrimack, NH, and Ft. Collins, CO. Also Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, MO and at the following Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks: Busch Gardens Tampa, FL, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA, Sea World San Diego, CA , Sea World Orlando, FL and Sea World, TX.