Tucked away in Gilbert, Arizona, amid the desert backdrop and wide-open skies, a group of passionate volunteers is working to ensure that one of America’s most iconic draft horse breeds doesn’t fade into history. The USA Clydesdale Preservation Foundation (USACPF) is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the future of the Clydesdale horse through hands-on education, youth programs, and preservation efforts.
What began as a personal mission has grown into a full-fledged movement. USACPF Director Rebecca Stivers was first captivated by the breed as a teenager attending the Iowa State Fair. The experience of watching Clydesdales in the show ring stayed with her for years. Later in life, while working as a therapist with youth, she saw how calm and intuitive the horses were and began using them in therapeutic settings. When she learned the breed had been classified as “at risk,” she verified the information and immediately began planning how to help. That mission has now spanned more than a decade and continues to grow through her leadership.
Clydesdales once played a vital role in American life, hauling timber, pulling plows, transporting goods, and even serving in wartime. Despite their historic importance, their population today is dangerously low, and few people realize they’re close to being lost entirely. USACPF is working hard to preserve not just the breed, but the legacy and values they represent. At the core of their work is education. The foundation regularly invites students and youth into the barn for hands-on experiences. Through these encounters, young people learn about the horses, but also about empathy, trust, and responsibility. These lessons stay with them long after the visit ends.
Visitors are often surprised to learn that USACPF’s Clydesdales do more than just pull carriages. Many of the horses are trained to ride and participate in activities like trail rides, barrel racing, and even obstacle courses. This challenges the common perception of what draft horses can do and demonstrates the intelligence and adaptability of the breed. Caring for Clydesdales in Arizona's desert climate, however, requires significant effort. During the summer months, once temperatures rise into the 80s, the horses are brought inside to climate-controlled barns equipped with swamp coolers, misters, and fans. They typically remain in the barn from evening until midmorning the next day. During winter, extra care is given to keeping them warm. Open barns are used to encourage airflow, and staff work diligently to ensure food and water remain fresh year-round.
Despite the daily challenges, Rebecca Stivers and the team are focused on the future. The foundation has several major goals in the works, including building a new barn to replace the aging structure, expanding the herd by three additional Clydesdales, and increasing volunteer participation. In 2027, the board of directors plans to travel to Europe to share their model and inspire similar preservation foundations abroad. Another exciting goal includes welcoming a foal to the herd and a valuable opportunity to educate visitors about the unique bond between a mare and her baby.
USACPF’s mission is about more than saving a horse breed, it’s about preserving a story that’s been intertwined with American history for generations. Rebecca sees it as a way to reconnect with what matters: hard work, loyalty, and the value of community. For anyone who visits the barn, it’s clear these horses leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a lifelong horse lover or discovering Clydesdales for the first time, USACPF offers a chance to be part of something meaningful.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.usaclydesdalepreservationfoundation.org.
"Clydesdales helped build this country and now it’s our turn to protect them. Through education, hands-on care, and community support, we’re not just preserving a breed but we’re preserving a living piece of history for future generations."