Some of the most famous horses in the world begin their lives at Warm Spring Ranch in the heart of mid-Missouri. Tour the picturesque ranch – with its stately red barn sitting on more than 300 acres of rolling countryside – to see where the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales are born and trained.
Reaching over 6 feet tall at the shoulder and topping 2,000 pounds, these gentle giants have starred in dozens of TV commercials and regularly appear in parades and at events across the country.
What is Warm Springs Ranch?
Located a few miles south of the Missouri River near Boonville, Warm Springs Ranch is the breeding and training center for the Budweiser Clydesdales – horses that have played a prominent role in Anheuser-Busch’s storied past.
The company established the ranch in 2008 to serve as the official breeding facility for the Clydesdales, a draft horse breed originally developed in Scotland. A decade later, the company’s training facility was moved from New Hampshire to Missouri. Today, about 70 Clydesdales live at the ranch.
What to Expect when You Visit
Visit Warm Springs Ranch, and you’ll learn about the Clydesdales’ lifestyle and how they are raised. Discover what it takes for a horse to be selected for the show teams that pull the vintage Anheuser-Busch beer wagons.
Approximately 20 foals are born every year at the state-of-the-art facility, so it’s very likely you’ll have a chance to see one or more baby Clydesdales while you’re there. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss!
Explore the massive barn that houses the mare and stallion areas, the foaling area, and the veterinary lab. See the handcrafted harnesses made from brass and patent leather and collars that are tailored to perfectly fit each horse in the hitch. You’ll also find a 1903 Studebaker-built beer wagon and luxury trailer used to transport the horses across the country in style. The gift shop has an array of Clydesdale-themed items.
Specialty tours give visitors the opportunity to groom and interact with the horses and explore the lush green pastures where customized shelters for the Clydesdales are located.
Guests age 21 and older can enjoy a complimentary Budweiser beer on their tour.
Tours and Experiences at Warm Springs Ranch
Warm Springs Ranch tours are available every day except Wednesday from April through October. Reservations are required and can be made online at warmspringsranch.com or by calling 1-800-972-5933. Tours fill up, so be sure to book in advance.
Special Events
Warm Springs Ranch hosts several special events throughout the year, including Holidays with the Clydesdales in November and December. Two 19-foot illuminated Clydesdale statues welcome you as you make your way to the barn – decorated with twinkling lights and filled with the horses that live at the farm. Tour the barn, take photos with the Clydesdales and shop for holiday items at the expanded gift shop. A special VIP experience includes a hospitality tent with food and beverages, one-on-one time with a Clydesdale, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
History of the Budweiser Clydesdales
The Budweiser Clydesdales are an enduring symbol of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, founded by August A. Busch, Sr. in St. Louis in the mid-1800s. The team of horses dates back to 1933 when August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch pulling a beer wagon to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition.
A second Clydesdale hitch was sent to New York to mark the event. The hitch travelled New England and the Mid-Atlantic states promoting the Budweiser brand. The hitches soon grew to include eight horses, and in 1950, the Dalmatian was introduced as the Clydesdales’ mascot. With their distinctive black and white spots, the dogs, perched on the seat next to the driver, became a popular addition to the wagons.
Clydesdale hitches continue to appear on TV and at hundreds of events every year – attracting crowds wherever they go.
Places to Eat in Boonville
Maggie’s Bar & Grill
Choose from burgers, pizza, wings and more at Maggie’s Bar & Grill in downtown Boonville. The restaurant offers a full bar with rotating local beers on tap. Enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
WJ’s Boonville
Sitting one block off Main Street, WJ’s Boonville is located in a restored century-old brick home in the center of Boonville. Try a hand-cut steak or chops, pasta dish or specialty burger. Finish your meal on a sweet note with an everchanging variety of homemade desserts. Choices include salted caramel brownies and butter toffee cake.
Nearby Accommodations
Hotel Frederick
Built in 1905, the historic Hotel Frederick blends the warmth of a bed and breakfast with the sophistication of a luxury hotel. The renovated landmark features bold, eclectic interiors and modern amenities. Curl up with a book from the library, check out the game armoire, and unwind in the restaurant and lounge. Looking for more adventure? Rent a bike on-site (or bring your own) and head out for a ride on the Katy Trail.
Grand Victorian Manor and Le Cottage
Combining historic decor with modern touches, the Grand Victorian Manor and Le Cottage provides a bed-and-breakfast experience with old world charm. Sip champagne with the breakfast buffet each morning or a craft cocktail during the afternoon social hour. Make yourself comfortable in the parlor, on the front porch and in the back garden with a view of the Missouri River.
Area attractions
Katy Trail State Park
Hike or bike on the longest developed rail-trail in the country. The nearly 240-mile-long Katy Trail State Park passes through Boonville on its way across the mid-section of Missouri. Boonville’s restored train depot is one of 26 trailheads along the mostly level trail. Featuring a Santa Fe Mission architectural style, the structure is one of the more unique historic train depots in Missouri. Built in 1911-1912, the depot houses a bicycle shop, visitor center and free museum.
Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Explore the history of a once bustling Missouri River town at the Arrow Rock State Historic Site. Located 20 miles northwest of Boonville, the site includes several historic buildings. See the old courthouse, a stone jail and artist George Caleb Bingham’s house. Exhibits at the visitor center recount details from the area’s past. The entire town of Arrow Rock is a National Historic Landmark and is home to several antique shops and restaurants. The renowned Lyceum Theater presents professional repertory productions in the summer and fall.
Discover More Clydesdales
The Budweiser Brewery Experience
If you just can’t get enough of the Clydesdales, head to St. Louis for the Budweiser Brewery Experience. The horses chosen for the hitch based in St. Louis live at the historic 100-acre brewery complex. A free tour of the brewery will take you through the ornate brick and stained-glass stables built in 1885 as well as the brew house and lager cellar.
More in-depth tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing and packaging of Budweiser beer and include an opportunity to sample directly from the finishing cellars. You can also get up close and personal with one of the beloved horses during a Clydesdale VIP Experience.
Grant’s Farm
You can also see Clydesdales at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis where the Busch family once lived. The horses are among more than 900 animals that call the farm home. Admission to the farm is free. Take the Clydesdale Closeup Tour to see how the horses are cared for, visit them in their stables and interact with them in a more intimate setting.