Shire Horse
The Shire is one of the world’s biggest horses that are distinguished for their ability to pull enormous weights. This heavy draft equine is now used as a leisure horse, as well as for different other draft disciplines. Because of its giant size and calm nature, it is often called the docile giant. The present population of this horse is at stake.
Shire Horse Pictures
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- Bay Shire Horse
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- Black Shire Horse
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- Brown Shire Horse
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- Gray Shire Horse
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- Horse Shire
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- Photos of Shire Horses
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- Pictures of Shire Horses
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- Shire Draft Horse
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- Shire Horse Black
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- Shire Horse Foal
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- Shire Horse Harness
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- Shire Horse Images
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- Shire Horse Jumping
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- Shire Horse Pictures
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- Shire Horse Ploughing
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- Shire Horse Riding
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- Shire Horse
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- Shire Horses
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- Shires Horse
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- The Shire Horse
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- White Shire Horse
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- Working Shire Horses
Quick Information
| Behavioral Traits | Mild-mannered, noble, willing, adaptable, gentle |
| Physical Characteristics | The structure is massive, with a big head, large eyes; the long neck is slightly arched ending in a wide chest and broad shoulders; the legs are muscular with the perfect hocks set for maximum leverage; the back of the legs are covered with dense feathering while the hooves are round and large |
| Coat Colors | Black, Bay, Gray, Chestnut (traditional colors) |
| Height/Size | Large; Stallions: 17 hands (68 inches or 173 cm); Mares: 16 hands (64 inches or 163 cm); Geldings: 16.2 hands (66 inches or 168 cm) (Up to 21.2 hands) |
| Weight | Heavy; 1800 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 25-30 years |
| Common Uses | General riding, dressage, eventing, pulling hefty goods |
| Health Problems | Healthy in general; no specific diseases |
| Type | Cart Horse, Heavy Draft Horse, Riding Horse, Sports Horse, Show Horse, Parade Horse |
| Ancestors (Bloodlines) | The Great Horse, Packington Blind Horse, Friesan, Flanders |
| Popular For | Extremely powerful, multi-talented, easily trainable |
| Blood Type | Cold |
| Suitable for first-time owners | Yes |
| Feeding/Diet | General horse diet including hay, grass, grains, etc. |
| Time of Origin | End of 16th to beginning of 17th century |
| Country of Origin | England (UK) |
| Associations and Registries | American Shire Horse Association Breed Standards |
Video: Demonstrating the Shire Horse
History and Development
Some researchers believe that the ancestor of the Shire horse is the British ‘Great Horse’ that once served as a war horse. The descendants of this horse might have been out-crossed with other breeds, including the Dutch Friesian, resulting in the development of the new Shire breed. However, with the introduction of more bloodlines, the influence of the Great Horse got slowly reduced in the stock, while the Friesian blood began to dominate.
There are disputes about when these animals developed. But many experts opined that the first Shires developed in Britain around the 16th century when the locals were in need of working equines for pulling their coaches and wagons over long distances through the rough terrains of the region. The resulting breed proved to be much efficient in pulling massive loads, as well as for military purposes.
In 1878, the Shire Horse Society was founded, which was formerly known as the English Cart Horse Society. At present, the Shire Horses are quite well-known for their strength and are still used to haul heavy loads like granite and brewery wagons. However, the population of this breed is declining at a considerably faster rate, and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy added them in their ‘critical’ list.
Interesting Facts
- The Shire had held records from time to time as the biggest and strongest horse in the world.
- At a 1924 exhibition in England, two Shire Horses pulled a weight of around 45 tons.
- The Shire named Mammoth, born in 1848, is believed to be the world’s largest horse standing at 21.2 hands and weighing around 3,300 pounds (1500 kg).
- At present, London has just one working herd of the Shire Horses.
- As of 2016, the global population of these horses is around 1500.
