Commonwealth Clydesdale Horse Society
Western Australia
Learn more about this magnificent breed through our website, through our group of dedicated members and join us on Facebook. We welcome all to join us in celebrating Clydesdales throughout WA and Australia.
We are here to share information about the Clydesdale breed, upcoming events, shows, breeders and other relevant news and information.
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Clydesdales in Australia
Exactly when the first importations of heavy horses into Australia were made is not clear, ...however, ... in the early days of settlement of New South Wales, pioneers essayed to bring horses for draught purposes to these shores despite the difficult transport conditions then met with."
One of the earliest references to the introduction of heavy horses was made by James Atkinson, in his work titled, The State of Agriculture and Grazing In New South Wales, published in 1826. He wrote:-
Some stallions and mares of the English and Flemish cart breeds have lately been introduced. The purebred horses of this description are certainly too heavy for the climate, but it is probable that, by judicious crossing with the lighter kinds, a breed may be obtained with sufficient bone and strength, but yet not too heavy, for the purposes of draught in this climate, which, (Mr Atkinson added) seems peculiarly congenial to the breeding and improvement of horses.
In Tasmania, ... the English dray horse appears to have predominated ... Victoria, in its early days of settlement, secured its foundation in draught stock mainly from Tasmania and New South Wales, to be later followed by importations from England and Scotland. English horses were also introduced into Western Australia late in the 1830’s and some were also imported to South Australia.
Our History 1850 - 1900
It was not, however, until the 1850’s, following the discovery of gold in New South Wales and Victoria, that draught horse breeding received its greatest impetus.
Victoria became the centre of this activity, and the lead was there given for the introduction of the best breeding stock from Scotland, ... with the development of the agricultural industry, draught horse breeding made rapid progress, aided principally by the introduction of some of the best strains of the Clydesdale breed."
The main draught horse breeding centre in New South Wales was the Hawkesbury Valley, near Sydney... When the Clydesdale was introduced into the district it was some years before the breed received much encouragement, but, in time, it gradually superseded all other heavy breeds. In Queensland, the Clydesdale was brought prominently to the front ... in or about 1855."
"The establishing of a stud book for Draught Horses in Australia was first considered by the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria as far back as 1885.
No definite action was taken until October 1903, when that Society appointed a committee to report on the matter.
