Budweiser Clydesdales find new home in Boonville

BOONVILLE, Nov 26, 2008 (The Sedalia Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BUD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Folks here are welcoming gentle giants to the neighborhood.

Anheuser-Busch has opened a new Clydesdale breeding operation about 10 miles east of Boonville, just off Interstate 70. It's an expansion from Grant's Farm in St. Louis, the company's breeding operation.

Jim Poole, the general manager of Clydesdale operations, said he expects the Boonville farm will eventually become the main breeding facility for the horses that have become synonymous with Budweiser beer. The 350-acre farm was chosen for its beauty and privacy.

"We were looking for something close enough to St. Louis where we could drive to so we could work with the St. Louis facility. ...Anyplace you can see outside, there's a gorgeous view," Poole said.

Anheuser-Busch officials showed off the new digs to about a dozen reporters and photographers Wednesday morning. The breeding farm is closed to the public.

"It was so private, just a nice place for the Budweiser Clydesdales to raise their young ones, and that's the way we want to keep it," Poole said.

Four "Clydesdale specialists" are employed at the farm that includes a mare, stallion and foaling barn with 34 box stables and a breeding room. It is home to 90 horses so far, but that number is expected to increase to 100 in the first year. About 150 horses are expected to live on the farm within the next few years.

The herd was moved here from the company's California breeding facility. Horses started arriving at the farm in early October. Officials think 35 horses will be born on the farm the first year, and up to 50 in the following years.

Eric Reisinger, a Clydesdale handler on the farm, described the breed as "laid back" and "easy going."

"It's kind of like big dog, little dog," he said. "The bigger they are, the more gentle they are. ... That's why they're called the gentle giants."

The big, red barn also has offices, storage and a small, swank apartment.

Poole said it's possible that the company will shoot commercials at the farm, and the apartment could be used by actors or others who needed to stay on the farm.

The property has 10 pastures, each with its own walk-in shelter.

About half of the breeding of the horses is done naturally. Poole said horses must have particular traits to become part of the Budweiser Clydesdales. They must be large and bay in color with four white legs, a black mane and tail, white face and good temperament.

Some of the Clydesdales have been purchased from Scotland, where the breed originated. One purpose of the Boonville farm is to "raise more Clydesdales to ship back to Scotland," to get some of the Budweiser Clydesdale bloodline into that country, Poole said.

Also on display Wednesday was Jake, a 7-year-old gelding. Jake stands about 20 hands, or more than 6 feet tall, and weighs 2,290 pounds. He's so big, he's unable to be matched with another horse on a hitch team. He eats four gallons of rolled oats and 40 pounds of hay each day. Jake lives in St. Louis, but makes solo appearances at events such as the one Wednesday.

Five teams of traveling Budweiser Clydesdales appear in parades and television commercials. The horses are also featured at Sea World, Busch Gardens and breweries in St. Louis, Merrimack, N.H., and Fort Collins, Colo. Each team has 10 horses, and two alternates. Poole said he expects the Boonville farm will occasionally host the teams as they travel through the state.

"We'll let them rest one or two days; let them be a horse for a couple days," he said.

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