12/11/2025
THE SOOTHING SOUNDS OF A CLYDESDALE:
WHY QUIET BARN MOMENTS MATTER
Every horse lover has a small ritual that keeps their passion alive.
For JFP (Jim Poole), it’s something beautifully simple:
Sneak out to the barn after dark. Toss a few flakes of hay into the stalls. Sit on a bale in the aisle. And just listen to the sounds of Clydesdales as they chew.
Voila. Stress relief at its best!
WHY CLYDESDALE SOUNDS ARE SO SOOTHING
When the barn quiets down for the night, the chewing of a content Clydesdale becomes almost meditative.
There’s a reason people describe horses as grounding animals … because moments like this slow everything down.
-The rustle of hay
-The gentle shifting of hooves
-The warm breath of a 2,000-lb horse
-The slow, calm rhythm of chewing
These simple, sensory details create one of the most peaceful environments you can experience.
SHOULD WE ADD “LISTENING TO THEM CHEW” TO OUR ULTIMATE CLYDESDALE EXPERIENCE?
Ha, we’ve jokingly asked ourselves this more than once:
Or maybe we launch a late-night “Clydesdale Sound Therapy” session?
Maybe … maybe not.
But the idea makes sense when you see what really happens during one of our up-close-and-personal experiences.
HOW OUR VISITORS MAKE THEIR OWN CLYDESDALE CONNECTIONS
Every guest who walks into our barn instinctively finds their own unique way to connect with a Clydesdale:
-Some gently stroke their face and melt instantly. (We won’t confirm or deny if we’ve even seen a few/several/many tear up.)
-Others quietly stand next to ACE, or FRED or one of our other BIG guys, just taking in the Clydesdale's massive presence.
-Many get lost in the brushing, each stroke slowing their own breathing.
-And some simply lock eyes with a Clydesdale and feel something shift.
No two interactions look the same. But every one of them is real, powerful, and often surprisingly therapeutic.
THE MAGIC BEHIND A CLYDESDALE'S CALM
Clydesdales don’t rush, and they don’t overthink.
They simply are, and that energy has a way of grounding people immediately.
Whether it’s morning sunlight hitting the barn door, or a quiet nighttime chew session, these BIG boys remind us to:
-Slow down
-Breathe deeper
-Reconnect with the moment
-Appreciate simple, grounding rituals
In a world that feels louder and faster than ever, that kind of calm is rare.
WHY THESE MOMENTS STAY WITH YOU
Many visitors tell us that their favorite part of their Ultimate Clydesdale Experience wasn’t the photos, the brushing or the feeding … it was simply the feeling of being close to a Clydesdale.
And that’s something you can’t recreate anywhere else.
So while “Clydesdale Sound Therapy” isn't a thing yet at JFP Equine, the hands-on moments in our Ultimate Clydesdale Experience give guests a similar taste of that grounding stillness.
Come meet a giant, make your own connection, and discover why people say our experience can feel a little like therapy - only with hooves!
Photo Credit: Jim Descher Photography
