GOSHEN – The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, in conjunction with Dana Distributors, Inc., will make an appearance at the 104th Orange County Volunteers Fireman Parade/150th Warwick Valley Fire Department celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, September 28th.
The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed to the famous red beer wagon at 1 p.m. for the parade lineup. The parade begins at 2 p.m.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Warwick is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. 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, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.
Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian.
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.
