Other locations to view the eight-horse hitch harnessed to the red beer wagon will be as follows:
The Westridge Shopping Center in Rocky Mount, on September 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Walmart Shopping Plaza in Tarboro on September 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Carolina Eagle Distributing facility in Rocky Mount on October 2 for Military Appreciation Day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in the area are one of hundreds made annually by the 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, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must 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.
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. 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.
