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The Shire Horse Height Over 17.2hh and up to 19.2hh. Colour Bay, brown, black or grey, often with white socks or stockings. Build Back is short, strong and muscular; ribs should be well sprung, round and deep. Tail set high. Shoulder and chest area should be deep and wide, aptly shaped to support the collar. Neck should be long in proportion to the body. Head should be long and lean. Legs should be short in comparison to the rest of the body, with plenty of flat bone, well defined knees. Lower legs should have ample silky feather. Feet should be large and round, with good length in the pasterns. Movement Straight with knee action high, hocks well flexed under the body. History The Shire Horse is the largest of the heavy breeds found in the UK. In Medieval times, it was necessary to breed horses of greater size in order to carry knights in full armour; the 'Great English Horse' of the Middle Ages has often been mentioned by Medieval writers. During the reign of Henry VIII, he greatly encouraged the breeding of larger animals for the purpose of war horses, in the early 1500s he passed a law prohibiting the breeding of horses under 15.hh. The Shire Horse would often be given domestic duties; heavy haulage work and transportation. Before roads became further developed, Shire Horses were required to pull heavy coaches through rutted boggy tracks. At this time, Flanders and Fresian horses were introduced to refine the breed, and encourage a more free movement. Shire Horses were used in the early 17th century, working on draining the Lincolnshire Fens. Following the onset of the industrial revolution, demand for large strong horses was huge; at this time Shire Horses would be found working in towns, quays, docks, railways, towpaths and mills. The English Cart Horse Society was founded in 1876, publishing a stud book two years later. In 1884 it changed its name to the Shire Horse Society; by this time Shire Horses were also being bred for show purposes. One of the foundation sires of the Shire Horse breed, is the Packington Blind Horse. He is the first entry in the Shire Horse Society Stud book, due to the large number of horses claimed to be decendants of him. The Shire Horse played a very important role in both World Wars; their size and strength making them ideal for pulling heavy artillery. With the end of WWII and the onset of mechanisation, the Shire Horse numbers were in great decline. The Shire Horse has been saved from extinction by the few remaining breeders, and breweries, who still use them today for short haul deliveries and promotional exhibitions. The modern Shire Horse has been strongly influenced by the Clydesdale breed. One significant Clydesdale stallion, Hillmoor Enterprise, can be credited with improving the bone and feather of the Shire. Breed Society UK Breed Society http://www.shire-horse.org.uk American Shire Horse Society http://www.shirehorse.org Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre http://www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk Did you know? The Shire Horse is the largest horse breed in the world, often weighing over 1000kg. Working Shire Horses can get through two pairs of shoes in three weeks. The tallest ever horse recorded was a Shire, called Samson. He stood 21.2hh, also the heaviest, weighing in at 1524kg. During the reign of King George V, his stallion, Field Marshall V, won the London Show twice before going on to be one of the most influential sires of his time. Time line 1876 - The English Cart Horse Society was founded in 1876. 1884 - English Cart Horse Society changed name to Shire Horse Society. 1885 - American Shire Horse Society founded. |
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