{"id":1079,"date":"2010-08-09T14:47:30","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T14:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=1079"},"modified":"2025-04-02T14:10:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:10:59","slug":"shire-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/shire-horse","title":{"rendered":"Shire Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Descendant of the English Great Horse of the Middle Ages, the Shire horse is among the largest of the draft breeds.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

Appearing in Britain around the end of the 16th century when strong animals were needed to pull heavy wagons and coaches long distances, over rough terrain. The Shire derived from blood of forest horses along with Friesian and Flanders horse imports.<\/p>\n

The English Great horse is still considered the Shire horse’s principle ancestor, although its bloodlines were slowly reduced in the stock as the influx of Dutch Friesian<\/a> blood grew stronger. Modern Shire horses are renowned for their strength, a pair of Shire horses have pulled 16.5 tons of weight on granite paving tiles.<\/p>\n

As the 20th century eliminated the need for animal draft power, their numbers began to dwindle. Today according to the DAD-IS they are at risk and as of 2022 there was only 205 of the English Shire left. The Equus Survival Trust lists them as threatened. It should be noted that this breed has been exported globally and there are several varieties. <\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height Over 17 hands
\nExtremely large animals
\nIncredible pulling strength
\nOne of the biggest horses in the world<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Long neck for a draft horse, with wide shoulders
\nLegs are clean and muscular, hocks set for maximum leverage
\nHeavy feathering on back of legs
\nBig, round hooves<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

black<\/a> | chestnut<\/a> | grey<\/a> | bay<\/a> (roan<\/a> cannot be registered)<\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Big and gentle, the Shire is a docile giant<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

General riding
\nShow horses
\nParade horse<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nShire Horse Society<\/a>
\nAmerican Shire Horse Association<\/a>
\nCanadian Shire Horse Association<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Shire\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Shire\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Shire\n<\/div>\n
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Video<\/h3>\n