Check out those horse shoes. They measure more than 20 inches from end-to-end and weigh about 5 pounds
For more than 75 years, majestic Budweiser Clydesdales have been the symbol of Anheuser-Busch and today (March 7, 2012) two of the 10-member team made an appearance in Punta Gorda, Fla. Between noon and 2 p.m., the horses were available for photos and petting, although I did see people kissing one. I didn’t get close enough to pet one but did snap a few photos. There were a LOT of equine-azzi out there. (Ya know, people crowding around to take photos.)
Growing up, one of my prized souvenirs from Busch Gardens was a plastic Clydesdale. I wonder where it is.
Enjoy these photos along with a few nuggets of Budweiser Clydesdales trivia.
It takes three, 50-foot tractor-trailers to transport 10 horses, the famous red, white and gold beer wagon and other essential equipment.Budweiser Clydesdales each wear a harness and collar weighing approximately 130 pounds! Stitched with linen thread, the harness is made by hand with brass and patent leather. Note: the horse is not wearing the work harness in this photo.This horse has what it takes to be a Budweiser Clysdale: he's a gelding at least four years old, stands 72 inches at the shoulder, weighs between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, has a bay coat, four white legs, white blaze and black mane and tail.Budweiser Clydesdales were introduced April 7, 1933, to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition for beer. A team carried the first case of post-Prohibition beer from the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, Mo.
Why were the Budweiser Clydesdales in town? Several hitches travel the country most of the year and come winter, why not spend the winter in Florida? Visit their website to see when you can get up close and personal with a famous equine.
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
4 thoughts on “Wordless Wednesday: Equine-azzi in Punta Gorda for Budweiser Clydesdales”
I remember riding clydales on Easter when I was a kid.
The driver told me they were the ones from the commercial, don’t believe him now but hung on every word as a kid.
Thats my daughter Kat (Bud Handler) holding the famous horse. Thanks for posting the picture.
Hi Gary! Your daughter has a very cool job! Hope you get to see her often!
Kinda counting on people like you Solo Girl to fill in the gaps with photos till we run her down. Her hitch doesn’t come to Michigan so we will link up in Illinois, Wisconsin and
St. Louis. Thanks
Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!
I remember riding clydales on Easter when I was a kid.
The driver told me they were the ones from the commercial, don’t believe him now but hung on every word as a kid.
Thats my daughter Kat (Bud Handler) holding the famous horse. Thanks for posting the picture.
Hi Gary! Your daughter has a very cool job! Hope you get to see her often!
Kinda counting on people like you Solo Girl to fill in the gaps with photos till we run her down. Her hitch doesn’t come to Michigan so we will link up in Illinois, Wisconsin and
St. Louis. Thanks