The Shire
The Shire horse has played an important role in history – in
war, agriculture and industry. Its ancestors carried knights into battle as
early as 1068, owing to their large size and ability to handle the weight of
the armour. They pulled plows for farmers and hauled
wagons full of goods on the ancient roads of
Today, however, there is renewed interest in these gentle
giants. They are now used for riding and driving, and breeders can exhibit them
an numerous breed shows and competitions. Many major
breweries around the world now have teams of Shires proudly pulling their
wagons. And they are enjoying a comeback in
The Shire is the largest of the heavy horses, with stallions
standing as high as 19 hands or more and mares topping 17 hands. Their sturdy
build and good-tempered nature makes them a popular cross with thoroughbred
mares to produce heavy hunter types. There are now Shire horse societies in
A typical Shire is black, brown, bay or grey, and more rarely, chestnut. They must be at least 16.2 hands in height. They have a noble head with a slightly Roman nose, long, arched neck, strong shoulders and well-muscled hindquarters, and strong, straight legs with lots of bone. They are noted for their “feathers”, long, silky straight hair which cascades down from their knees and hocks.
Hopefully, this proud breed will continue to flourish and
find a permanent place in this high-tech world.
For more information about the Shire horse, contact:
(In
The Canadian Shire Horse Assoc.
K0M 2M0
(705) 953-9159
(In the
The American Shire Horse Assoc.
81647
(970) 876-5980