The Chinese New Year will be celebrated at the end of this month, and it’s the Year of the Horse — what better time to share some news from the Tri-Circle-D Ranch at the Walt Disney World Resort, where horses are celebrated every year and all year-round.
The team at the ranch is excited to report that two new Clydesdale horses have just joined the ranch family. Named Gates and Rookie, they each weigh about 1,800 pounds and are 18 hands tall. A hand, which was originally based on the breadth of a human hand, equals 4 inches.
The two new Clydesdales will be starting their training program this week. Soon after that, guests will be able to meet Gates and Rookie during wagon rides, which depart from the front of Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, and carriage rides, also at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort as well as Disney’s Port Orleans Resort.
The team is excited to welcome these two new horses to the herd of more than 90 horses and ponies at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
Fun facts from Disney Parks Blog:
Did you know?
- Walt Disney loved horses! This was apparent from his recreational activities to his countless action movies and animated classics that feature horses.
- Clydesdales are a breed of heavy draft horse. They originated from Scottish farm horses over 200 years ago.
- Cinderella’s ponies, who participate in many magical weddings by pulling Cinderella’s Carriage, also make their home at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.
- The cast members at the ranch are members of the Disney’s Animal Programs team, which includes the cast members who care for our animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends.