{"id":421,"date":"2010-08-09T02:36:11","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T02:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=421"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:47:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T13:47:42","slug":"cleveland-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/cleveland-bay","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland Bay Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The oldest breed of horse from Britain, originally from the Cleveland area of North East England. The church was principally responsible for keeping the bloodlines and the Cleveland bay type.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

Originally bred as pack horses in the Yorkshire Dales and they were locally called Chapman horses<\/a>. Towards the end of the 17th century an influx of Barb<\/a> stallions were bred into the Chapman horses bloodlines. The result was a powerful animal often used under harness as well as for pack animals.<\/p>\n

In the 18th century the breed grew in size (partially due to better fodder) which increased the scope of the Cleveland Bay’s use as agricultural horses. This breed is used for the Royal Guard and that is probably the reason there are still purebred animals left. <\/p>\n

According to DAD-IS Cleveland Bays are critically at risk and as of 2021 there were only 31 left. The Equus Survival Trust lists them as critical with an estimated global population of less than 900.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

16-16.2 hands
\nHighly versatile
\nSound and even tempered
\nAction is free and long in stride<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is bold and well carried on the neck
\nEyes are large and well set
\nLegs are muscular with large knees and hocks
\nBody is deep and wide with deeply muscled shoulders
\nFeet are one of the most important characteristic, they must be blue in color, large and sound<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors:<\/h3>\n

Must be bay<\/a> with black points<\/a>. The only acceptable white marking<\/a> is a star<\/a> on the forehead. <\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Strong character
\nIntelligent
\nHardy with intense stamina<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Police horse
\nShow horse
\nDriving horse
\nGeneral riding horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nCleveland Bay Horse Society<\/a>
\nCleveland Bay Horse Society of North America<\/a>
\nCleveland bay Horse Society of Australasia Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Cleveland\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Cleveland\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n