Cleveland Bay Horse Size report

Cleveland Bay is one of the oldest horse breeds in the UK, with genealogical data dating back nearly 300 years, and it is also the only breed in the UK that is not a "heavy horse." Initially originating in Yorkshire, the northernmost part of England, Cleveland Bay is named for its coat color, which has only one bay color.

The Cleveland Bay horse has long been a favorite of members of the British royal family and still plays an important role in the royal carriage procession. Since 1977, Queen Elizabeth II has been the patron of the breeding and development of the Cleveland Bay horse. In 1984, for the centennial commemoration, she served as chair.

There are two main types of Cleveland Bay horses, one for farming and one for riding. This breed was also used to create and improve the Holstein and Hanoverian breeds. The British Cleveland Bay Association was established in 1883. In the 19th century, the breed was exported to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, India, Russia, and continental Europe.

Cleveland Bay Horse Size And Appearance

The Cleveland Bay horse has a large head, a short body, and a long neck. Shoulders muscular, chest broad and deep, with a slightly sloping croup. Compared with the body, the legs are short but strong and muscular. There is little or no spur hair on the legs, as this breed was bred in part to work in the heavy clay soils of its home country, contributing to the disease's prevalence. The bright solid bat is the breeder's favorite, followed by the common bay, blackened bay, and lighter bay. Except for a small star mark on the forehead, white markings on other parts of the body are not allowed to be registered. However, black spots are quite acceptable, especially on all-black calves.

Average Size of Cleveland Bay

The average standing height of Cleveland Bay is between 16 and 16.2 hands (163 and 168 cm). The Cleveland Bay horse is heavily built as a muscular and strong horse. It weighs around 1,400 to 1,500 pounds. Cleveland Bay horses are long-lived, with an average lifespan of more than 25 years.

Final Words

The Cleveland Bay is a strong, long-lived horse with a docile temperament. Today, they are still an endangered breed and reporting less than 300 registered in North America, so the Cleveland Bay of modern times is big but versatile. These horses performant well in many disciplines, such as dressage, eventing, harnessing, and even on the trails. Their substance and stamina make them ideal horses for competitions.