The Iconic Budweiser Clydesdales Coming to Bossier

The Clydesdales have been affiliated with Budweiser going all the way back to 1933. Always a huge attraction where ever they make appearances, and you've got a chance to see them this week in Bossier City.

History of the Clydesdales

According to Anhauser-Busch.com,

In April 1933, August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father, August A. Busch, Sr., with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition of beer.

Realizing the marketing potential of a horse-drawn beer wagon, the company also arranged to have a second six-horse Clydesdale hitch sent to New York to mark the event. The Clydesdales drew a crowd of thousands on their way to the Empire State Building. After a small ceremony, a case of Budweiser was presented to former Governor Alfred E. Smith in appreciation of his years of service in the fight against Prohibition.

The famous horse team will be at Louisiana Downs this coming Friday, March 24th where fans can get up close and personal between the races, starting at 1:35 PM.

Clydesdales Trivia

Each of the Clydesdales’ handcrafted harnesses and collars weigh approximately 130 pounds.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are given short names, such as Duke, Mark and Bud, to make it easier for the driver to give commands to the horses during a performance.

Budweiser Clydesdales’ horseshoes measure more than 20 inches from end to end and weigh about 5 pounds.

Dalmatians were known as coach dogs because they ran between the wheels of coaches or carriages and were companions to the horses. Since the 1950s, Dalmatians have traveled with the Budweiser Clydesdales hitch, perched atop the wagon proudly seated next to the driver.

The turn-of-the-century beer wagons have been meticulously restored and are kept in excellent condition. The wagons are equipped with two braking systems: a hydraulic pedal device that slows the vehicle for turns and downhill descents, and a hand-brake that locks the rear wheels when the wagon is at a halt.