Budweiser Clydesdale appearances canceled over safety concerns amid trans influencer backlash

A Budweiser distributor in Springfield, Mo., has cancelled the planned appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales this week amid mounting backlash against the company for its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Wil Fischer Distributing, which distributes Budweiser in the area, reportedly made the decision to cancel the Clydesdale showings over fears for the safety of their employees, OzarksFirst reported.

The Clydesdales are a group of horses that Budweiser has maintained as a symbol of the brand since their first appearance in April 1933 as part of a celebration of the end of Prohibition. Originally six in number, the group was later expanded to eight. The horses spend ten months of the year on the road making appearances on behalf of the brand.  They currently are housed at the Anheuser-Busch breweries in St. Louis.

Earlier this week, the brand attracted considerable scrutiny from conservatives over the announcement that it had entered into a paid partnership with Mulvaney. Rock musician Kid Rock, for example, protested the decision by posting a video of him shooting at boxes of Bud Light.

Other brand such as Nike and Kate Spade New York have also entered into high profile arrangements with the influencer.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.