Right now my life is like an unfinished story. I jump from one activity to another without finishing the first. And so it is with the second part of my visit to the Anheuser-Busch facility in Fairfield, California to see the famous Clydesdale horse team in action. So many things got in the way of my posting this blog, including a two-day Toastmaster conference.

But here I am at the computer ready to show you images of these beautiful horses. I received conflicting information of the horses’ ages. I can tell you that when they can no longer participate in parades, they live on a ranch and enjoy the rest of their natural life.

Another fact that amazed me was the time it took to dress the horses (in their fancy harnesses) and hitch up the team. Once the eight horses were hitched, they did one horse at a time, April (the dalmatian) and the drivers got on board for the ride around the parking lot.

I came home with over 500 shots to go through because I finally decided to use continuous shutter speed. Don’t worry, you don’t have to wade through them, just a few select ones.

April was out to greet everyone.

This is where the horses are kept until it’s time to get hitched.

The wagon. Notice, everything is red!

First horse arrives.

At least three of the staff were dressing the horses.

The process continues

In about 10 minutes, the first horse is ready to be hitched.

On the way to the wagon, horse and handler fall in step.

Hitching to the wagon.

The horses interact while waiting.

We’re now up to three horses hitched.

Beautiful face.

The parade begins.

They circled twice around the parking lot in one direction.

And then changed direction for two more rounds of the lot.

Now, that’s a fancy foot.

After the parade the team is still for everyone to come closer.