Horse Breeds: Cleveland Bay

The Cleveland Bay horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse which are native to the United Kingdom and originated in northeast England. The Cleveland area of Northern Yorkshire, to be exact. This breed was around in medieval times when it was used as a packhorse, primarily by the Church. The Cleveland Bay ferried goods to and from convents and monasteries all over Europe. Though traditionally a draft horse, the Cleveland Bay was used as a coach horse when the first roads were laid down across the Continent.

Today, the Cleveland Bay is one of the rarest and most endangered horse breeds in the world, even with the efforts to preserve the breed. The Royal Family in England has been breeding them for about one hundred years, but they still remain rare. Despite this, they can be seen in general riding and driving events around the world, if you look carefully enough.

Standing 16 to 16.2 hands high, the Cleveland Bay is almost always bay in color with a black mane, tail, and legs. Occasionally, however, you will see a chestnut horse, though this is not desirable. Even though they've been used as a coach horse, they're really draft horses, so they're aren't as high stepping as you might think. Their motion varies from long, flowing movements to short strides, but they rarely move with the fluidity of most coach horses.

The Cleveland Bay is now promoted by several societies around the world, including the Cleveland Bay Horse Society and the Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America. This breed has a grace and style not often seen in the more ancient breeds and has gained respect on the world stage at many points in the last century.