Among the racers there are champions in height. It is a textbook known fact that the smallest in the equine family are ponies. However, few people are aware of its largest representatives. These giants are slightly smaller than the Asian elephant. Some individuals grow up to 2 m or more, and the weight reaches 1 ton. The given fact refers to the Shire breed. Horses of this variety have lost their popularity today, but are still considered one of the most beautiful on the planet.

A highly specialized variety obtained by the breeding method as part of the crossing of English working mares with Dutch stallions. The process of its creation is associated with the history of England. The word "shire" comes from the English "shir", which translates as "county". This name was invented by Henry VIII. Prior to this, the heavyweights were called Carriage, Great, Old English Blacks, English Drafts, Military and Lincolnshire giants.

In the annals, the ancestors of the breed are first mentioned in 1066. According to one version, they were brought to the country during the reign of William I the Conqueror.

Milestones in the development of the breed:

1. The descendants of the Shire are considered to be the medieval military Great Horse, later renamed English Black.
2. In the XII century. Henry II gave the order to cross the Shire with the Flanders horses. The selection lasted for several centuries.
3. Henry VIII issued a decree not allowing the breeding of heavyweights, whose height is less than 154 cm. Failure to comply with this rule was punished at the legislative level.
4. Horse breeder R. Bakeville renewed the Shire gene pool with Frisian blood. This marked a turning point in the improvement of the species. Despite the heaviness, the shires gained maneuverability.

1. The founder of the modern version of the breed is a blind stallion from Packington. He was entered in the studbook as the first representative of the Shire variety.
2. In 1878 an association of breeders of these heavyweights was formed.
3. In 1880, a studbook was formed, which contained information about the breed and information about show horses.

1. In the 30s. of the last century, heavy-duty varieties were replaced by tractors. Since the 50s, the number of shires has been rapidly decreasing. However, through the efforts of horse breeders in the 80s. returned interest in heavyweights.
2. In the middle of the last century, they were crossed with Clydesdals. This provoked the formation of silky friezes on the limbs. Such manipulation was necessary to rid the animals of the biting midges.

In Russia, shires were used to improve the characteristics of local heavy-handed breeds. The blood of English stallions flows in the veins of the Vladimir drafts.

The current state of the breed

The shire owe their return from disgrace by the establishment of a solid monetary reward for the stallions. This provoked an outbreak of breed breeding.

One of the popular trends in England is the crossing of Shires with thoroughbreds, which makes it possible to get good draft horses. The most popular are horses with white spots on their limbs.

Special purpose

Initially, this variety was used for military purposes. The massive animals were able to support the weight of the armored knight. They then took part in agricultural activities. After the improvement of the roadway, they became in demand for the transportation of stagecoaches. In the XIX century. were the main tool of labor at the docks and on the railways.

This breed is not uniform. Some of its heavyweight representatives are suitable exclusively for slow driving, others - for the plow.

Today, shires are used in the following activities:

1. Festive celebrations.
2. Beer festivals
3. Plowing competition.
4. Traction competition.
5. Exhibitions.

The only area in which shires are used for their intended purpose is forestry. Rangers actively exploit them for sanitary felling of forest plantations. Heavy weights can be used to haul large trees out of the reach of the tractor. In addition, in remote areas, it is considered more profitable to keep a horse than specialized equipment.

Appearance

Several types are known within the variety. Representatives of the Yorkshire trend are distinguished by a dry texture. Horses from Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have pronounced brushes on the limbs and are more bony.

Characteristics of the suit

Stallions can have several color options - bay, black, red and gray. White is rare. Light spots on the body are acceptable according to the standards. Males often have a white stripe from nose to forehead.

A little liberties are possible in mares regarding the purity of the breed. In addition to the main ones, a roan suit is allowed. The number of marks is also not subject to strict regulation.

Exterior features

Animals of this species are distinguished by large bones, broad sternum and powerful limbs. This makes them strong and resilient. Horses have an excellent appetite and keep the body well.

Table 1. Characteristics

Evaluation parameter	Characteristic
Height at the withers	From 165 to 180 cm. The average figure in males ranges from 166 to 176 cm. Mares are slightly smaller. There are individuals whose height exceeds 190 cm.
Weight	Up to 1.2 tons.
Head	Massive and weighty.
Neck	Small, well muscled with a high output.
Eyes	Large, expressive.
Ears	Small, compact.
Nose	One of the signs of the variety is a small hump.
Mane	Beautifully flowing, lush and thick.
Croup	Wide and lean.
Withers	Low.
Tail	Set on high.
Rib cage	Broad and muscular.
Back	Strong, level, small, with strong shoulders.
Limbs	Powerful and long.
Hooves	Wide, strong and flat.
Wool	For the hairline, the presence of dense friezes is typical - long hair falling from the knee.

Some animals grow up to 2 meters or more

Breed standards

According to the rules, the minimum threshold for indicators is as follows:

• growth at the withers of a stallion - from 173, mares - from 163 cm;
• body weight - from 900 kg;
• sternum girth - from 215 cm;
• the metacarpus of the front leg - from 25 cm.

Based on the characteristics of the metacarpus, a conclusion is made about the quality of the tendon apparatus and bone. In heavy trucks, there is a predominantly round shape without pronounced outlines of tendons.

When evaluating a horse, much attention is paid to the characteristics of the limbs. The pelvic bones should be straight and the distal areas brushed. Shires have long and strong legs with lush friezes at the hock and wrist. The hooves are large enough to support the horse's weight.

Features of the course

This parameter depends on body weight and size. Some individuals prefer a measured step. The more agile ones easily cope with the cart. The lynx is not typical for this breed and is a deviation from the standards.

The nature of the shire

Horses are distinguished by a balanced and calm disposition.

According to breeders' reviews, representatives of this breed are easy to manage and obedient. This quality has made them in demand for improving the "naughty" varieties.

They are very patient, especially with children. They are not afraid to come into contact with other types of animals. These heavyweights are very sensitive and strongly attached to the owner.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Pets have many positive qualities, including the following:

• large carrying capacity;
• calm temperament;
• hard work;
• good learning ability;
• unpretentious content;
• friendliness.

Among the disadvantages, farmers point out a large appetite. During the day, one animal eats almost 2 times more representatives of other breeds.

In addition, the following characteristics are considered to be small disadvantages:

• increased freeziness;
• insufficient stockiness in some individuals;
• dampness.

According to the breeders, these shortcomings will be corrected in the foreseeable future.

Freeziness means a thick and large mane, tail, and characteristic brushes on the lower extremities. These signs are found in Friesian horses. When crossed, they partially migrated to the Shire.

Accommodation, hygiene rules and feeding of this species are practically no different from those of other heavyweights. Correction should be made in terms of feed consumption and arrangement of the premises based on the high growth rates of animals.

Stable arrangement

Since this is an artificially bred species, animals are practically not found in the natural environment. A prerequisite for their breeding is the presence of a stall.

There are a number of requirements for organizing a stable:

1. Premises. A good option would be a box with a paddock - an adjoining paddock.
2. Parameters. The large dimensions of the shires dictate the appropriate dimensions of the room. The optimal length and width option is 5 × 5 m, height - 3 m.
3. Walls. During construction, it is necessary to use thermal insulation materials. They will allow you to maintain the desired microclimate. Metal partitions are made between the stalls. Wooden ones are not suitable as horses can chew on wood. Dividers should be 2 times less than the height of the room.
4. Floor. Made from non-slip coating. This will help avoid possible injury. Considering the weight of the horses, you need to make it sturdy. For these purposes, expanded clay is suitable. This material is durable and non-slip. Place a thick layer of sawdust on the floor.

1. Doors. The best option for stalls is sliding doors with 2 or 3 galvanized bolts.
2. Additional devices. Drinkers, feeders and nurseries should be made from natural materials. Any toxic impurities are harmful to the body of heavyweights. Since shires are tall animals, it is necessary to install this "equipment" higher than for other horse varieties.
3. Ventilation. Each stall should be equipped with a ventilation hole.

1. Lighting. It is desirable to maintain it at 200 lux. Daylight hours are 16 hours. This will have a positive effect on the performance and mood of the pets. To increase the flow of light, there must be many windows in the room.
2. Temperature conditions. The optimum temperature for the content is from 13 to 15 ° C. Coolness is encouraged in summer and warm in winter.
3. Humidity. The maximum allowable threshold is 60%. Dampness and drafts must be avoided.

Shires are considered an unpretentious breed. They do an excellent job with both cold and heat.

Cleaning and hygiene

Daily stall cleaning is the main rule of horse breeding. The accumulation of manure and other waste products leads to severe health consequences for pets. In addition, an unpleasant odor is formed, which complicates the cleaning process. It is also necessary to regularly change the bedding, wash food utensils and clean the walls.

1. Once a week, a full wash is required using a brush and special horse shampoo.
2. The friezes are cleaned after each contamination.
3. Bathing in extreme heat is not recommended.
4. After cleaning, the wool is blotted with a woolen cloth or dried in the sun.
5. To preserve the tail and mane, braids are woven.

For the prevention of wood lice, the limbs and hooves are scrupulously cleaned of dirt and sprinkled with sawdust. They are removed after 2 hours.

Video - Horse Care

Feeding technology

A sufficient amount of a balanced diet is considered to be the key to the health of large breeds.

The main difference in the diet of shires is that there is no need to use concentrates and food additives to accelerate growth.

1. Fresh drinking water should always be readily available.
2. The optimal feed is grass, grass meal, hay and vegetables.
3. A horse eats 15 to 20 kg of food per day, some individuals - up to 25 kg.
4. If there is a need to use concentrates, cake will do. The recommended rate is 7 kg per day.
5. Horses are very fond of carrots, apples and fodder beets. It is useful to enrich the diet with cabbage.
6. Animals must always have table salt available.
7. Oats and hay are placed in separate containers. The frequency of feeding is 5 times a day. The optimal dosage is 12 kg of hay and 10 kg of cereals for every 500 kg of the animal.

1. It is necessary to move smoothly from feeding fresh grass to hay. Otherwise, the animal's digestive system will not have time to develop the enzymes necessary for its digestion. This is fraught with diarrhea.
2. After giving birth, the female should not be overfeeded. Oats should be removed from the diet for a few days. Oatmeal is given before each meal, which has a positive effect on milk production and quality.

10 weeks after birth, the foal is gradually weaned off breast milk. This process begins by feeding chopped oats and oatmeal.

Shire is not a popular breed these days. In Europe, for example, there are only a few hundred representatives of this breed. However, breeding work on this variety continues and it is possible that this variety will become relevant again in the near future.

Exterior: massive head with a wide forehead, medium-sized ears with pointed tips, short, well-set neck, muscular shoulders, short, strong back, wide and long croup, a fairly high tail, powerful legs, on which a lush is observed from the wrist and hock joints overgrowth - "friezes", hooves are large and strong.

INheight at the withers: 165-185 cm.

Weight: 800-1225 kg.

Suit: mainly black, bay or karak, less often - gray. There are white markings on the head and legs.

Peculiarities: Shires are the largest, heaviest and most powerful horses.

Shire- English heavy trucks, descending from the fighting knightly horses, the descendants of the horses of the Roman Conquerors and is one of the most ancient heavy draft breeds... Today it is difficult to say unequivocally how exactly this breed originated, as in the case of many other ancient breeds.

The word "shire" ( Shire) also came from England, and comes from the Saxon word "schyran", meaning "shift" or "watershed", therefore, the word "shire" is synonymous with this area. And the breed got this name thanks to King Henry VIII, who first applied the Name "Shire" to these horses at the beginning of the 16th century.

The fate of the Shires is inextricably linked with the history of England. In the period between the reign of Henry II, 1154, and Elizabeth (beginning in 1558), the government constantly sought to increase the size and number of horses called "great". During the reign of King John from 1199 to 1216, about a hundred large stallions were imported into England from the lower lands of Flanders, in Holland, and the Elby shoals. One of the authors of that time describes these Flemish horses in the bulk as black, with white markings on the face and legs, often all four of their legs were white to the joints. They were tall, muscular, with strong legs, bordered by long thick brushes, with strong large joints. During the reign of Henry VIII, from 1509 to 1547, special attention was directed to the raising and breeding of strong horses, several laws were approved to provide for this. Acts prohibiting the use of horses below 154 cm at the withers for breeding, as well as preventing any export of horses, even to Scotland, were adopted in 1535 and 1541.

Like other heavy draft breeds, in different periods of history the Shires were improved by the addition of blood from other breeds, the northern German Flemish horses from Belgium and the Flanders left a particularly noticeable mark in the breed. There are rather detailed records of this, made over 1000 years ago. During this time, the influx of blood and other breeds continued.

During the 18th century. these horses came to be used for hard work on farms. With the improvement of roads and the widespread use of stagecoaches, there is a great demand for heavy trucks. During this time, a breeder named Robert Bakewell significantly influenced the Shires, then known as the Leicestershire Cart Horse, by infusing the blood of the best Dutch horses, the Friesians.

Judging by the paintings dated to the 15th century, showing the perfection of their forms, shires were used as early as the 16th century. Undoubtedly, Shire horses were used as war horses.

Most people think, and historians say, that knights, dressed in heavy armor, with a sword and a pike, rode into battle on horseback. Not everyone shares this opinion, however, even in England some doubt that this is true. With the disappearance of tournaments and heavily armed knights, the ancestors of the Shire horse were harnessed to work, pulling carts over bumpy, uneven roads and plows through farm fields.

When not battles came to the fore, but the development of commerce and agriculture, in the 19th century. shires have become almost a national treasure of England. In the 19th century. horses became the main labor force in agriculture and industry, especially in the docks and on the railways. Large Shire geldings worked at the docks and on the streets of cities. The needs of the empire and the mores of the time demanded from the horse extraordinary massiveness, enormous muscular strength and obedience. English breeders and farmers responded by creating one of the most remarkable breeds - the Shire. They became the largest and most powerful draft horses in Britain. Shires were, and still are, used by urban brewers in stylized beer keg teams, in traction and plowing competitions.

Shires were bred in all parts of England, but in counties such as Lincoln, Derby, Cambridge, Norfolk, Nottingham, Leicester and Huntington, they were especially popular. History mentions such names of the breed, which existed in the old days, such as: "Great Horse" (Great Horse), "War Horse" (War-Horse), "Cart Horse" (Cart Horse), "Old England Black Horse, Lincolnshire Giant, and finally Shire. There were also differences between the intra-breed Shire types, depending on their place of origin. The Shires, which originated in their historic home, the Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire swamps, tended to be more bony and overgrown with brushes than their neighbors. Yorkshire and Lanarkshire, for example, were leaner and more resilient.

Champion of 1911.

Although the first Shire was imported to America in 1853, significant imports did not gain momentum until 1880. At the dawn of the new, 20th century, the shire in America could rival the Percherons in popularity. From 1909 to 1911 there were about 6,700 shires in the world, almost 80% of these were born in America.

Due to their large stature and showy movements, Shires became extremely popular with the citizens of America. At the end of the First World War, however, heavy draft horses were driven out of the cities by trucks, subways and electric trams. At the same time, farmers bought smaller, more economical horses for work in the fields.

The heavy draft market in the Midwest became dominated by the Brabancons and Percherons, and the Shire breeding center moved to the western United States. In the 1940s and 1950s, their numbers continued to decline, with only 25 horses recorded from 1950 to 1959. Today Shires, like most heavy draft breeds, are being reborn. In 1985. there were 121 Shire registered in America.

It should not be forgotten that the development and popularization of the English Shire Registry was at least partly due to Americans wanting to register their horses. It was, of course, worth it, since only registered animals could be bred like Shires, but already on American soil.

Seeing the need for American breeders to promote and improve the breed, British charities have helped with registration in the United States. Subsequently, this task was entrusted to the American Shire Horse Association, organized on April 28, 1885. It was officially registered on May 21, 1885.

One of the reasons for the surge in interest was the approval of stallion awards. The money for them is allocated by the Association from the profit of the racing sweepstakes, and is awarded at the annual March exhibition. More than £ 35,000 are awarded on this day. Another reason for the growth in livestock was the expansion of sales markets, especially abroad. IN last years more than 100 heads of shire are exported annually to all parts of the world. Operating Associations are formed in Germany, France, Holland, Canada, USA.

Shires are very large animals: adult stallions reach a height of 162 to 176 cm at the withers. Mares and geldings are slightly less massive. However, many of the best of the breed reach over 185 cm at the withers. They have relatively large, wide-set and expressive eyes, with a slightly convex profile (Roman). The shoulders are strong and broad, with a deep chest.

There are real giants among the Shire. An unusually large foal was born in England in 1846. In honor of the biblical hero, he was named Samson, but when the stallion became an adult and reached a height at the withers of 219 cm, he was renamed Mammoth. Under this nickname, he went down in the history of horse breeding as the tallest horse that ever lived in the world.

Distinctive features of the breed include silky thick friezes on the legs, acquired from crosses with Clydesdals in the early 50s to solve the problem with biting midges in the old type of Shire. Friezes grow around the entire leg, on the front from the wrist, and on the back from the hock. More recently, there has been a market demand for horses with white markings on their legs.

Shires and other English heavy trucks - the Clydesdales, brought to Russia in the last century, were used in the breeding of a new breed - the Vladimir heavy trucks.

The English Shire horse breed originates from the combat knightly horses. This is one of the oldest and most prestigious breeds. Its representatives are incredibly strong and beautiful. Throughout their history, they have distinguished themselves both on the battlefield and in the field, where they were used as heavy trucks.

The English breed of horses Shire originates from the fighting knightly horses

The English draft horse is the tallest horse in the world. Representatives of the breed reach almost 2 m at the withers. However, the mass of animals is not the same. It can be either a fat horse suitable for leisurely riding, or large heavy truck capable of pulling a plow. Horses of the Shire breed differ from others not only in high growth, but also in appearance.

The English draft horse is the tallest horse in the world

Stallions are of the following colors:

• bay;
• black;
• gray.

Slight white spots are allowed. The height of purebred stallions cannot be lower than 173 cm, and the lower limit of the permissible weight is 900 kg. Special attention paid to the legs. The pasterns of heavy trucks are round and at least 25 cm in girth. This part of the leg is used to judge the general development of the animal's motor apparatus.

TO external characteristics mares also have special requirements, although they are not as strict as for stallions. Mares are of the following colors:

• bay;
• black;
• gray;
• roan.

For mares, it is permissible to cross both the upper and lower boundaries of growth, as well as weight. In addition, the presence of white spots is not so strictly regulated. There may be more of them than stallions.

All representatives of the breed have a large head and wide forehead, medium ears and a nose with a slight hump. A heavy draft horse, by definition, must have a robust build. Shires have a short back and wide croup, muscular shoulders and steep shoulder blades. The legs are long and powerful. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by lush friezes on the hocks and wrists. Friezes completely hide large hooves. It is customary to braid the shire mane, decorate with ribbons or cut beautifully.

However, the largest horse breed in the world also has its own internal types. Various horse breeders raise heavy trucks different sizes and weights. A representative of the breed is not always a fat horse of huge dimensions. Some shires are characterized by a powerful exterior, others are distinguished by a dry physique.

Shire horse (video)

Gallery: horse breed Shire (25 photos)

History of the breed

The history of heavy trucks goes back centuries. The first mentions of large and strong horses date back to the middle of the 11th century. It took several centuries to develop the ideal heavy draft breed. Even the English kings William I and Henry II were interested in breeding and crossing horses. It was the soldiers of William I who brought the "big horse of the Middle Ages" to England. Such horses could bear the weight of a knight in armor, for which they were very valued at that time.

By order of Henry II, a large Belgian heavy-duty truck came to England, which became another progenitor of the Shire. At the time of Henry VIII, horse breeders were forbidden to breed heavy-duty vehicles less than 150 cm tall. To improve the breed, horses were brought to the country from Germany, Belgium and Holland.

However, Queen Elizabeth played a special role in the development of the breed of the largest horses in the world. She demanded from horse breeders to increase the number of heavy trucks. In addition, the rules for crossing horses have been tightened. Now the breeder who allowed a representative with a short stature to the tribe was obliged to pay a fine. Exports and imports of horses were strictly monitored. Individuals with insufficient characteristics were not exported even to neighboring states.

At the end of the 19th century, the ancestor of the breed was indicated for the first time in the stud book. It was a fat horse named Blind Horse, although the stallion was not blind. At the same time, an organization of horse breeders was created, whose members made up detailed specifications breeds and issued a set of rules for horse breeding. From that moment on, the strongest horses became permanent participants in prestigious exhibitions.

It is interesting that the name of the heavy trucks was not immediately determined. At first, the largest horse in the world was simply called “great”. Then the "great" horse began to be called "English", "Old English", "Lincolnshire giant". Later, the Shire breed got its official name from the English word "county", although this word was used by Henry VIII to draft trucks.

In Europe, large horses have become incredibly popular. They were eagerly bought and bred on many farms. At the beginning of the 20th century, horses began to be sent to the United States. At first, the fat horse from England was not particularly in demand among American horse breeders. However, then about English heavy trucks began to talk as often as about the local Percherons. In Russia, shires were not bred, but horses were brought to improve local breeds. And although some of the heavy haulers had better characteristics, the English fat horse did not leave its pedestal.

Shire holds records for height and weight. Even medium-sized stallions are striking in their power. It is not only the largest horse in the world, but also the fattest. In terms of strength, he also has no equal. The stallion Mammoth in 1846 established absolute record in size. His height reached almost 220 cm, and his weight was more than 1500 kg.

For a long time, heavy trucks were in great demand among farmers, because these horses performed complex field work. In cities and villages, they were used as horse-drawn transport. However, technological progress has put the breed on the brink of survival. Shires are becoming less and less, therefore each purebred representative of the breed is highly valued. Breeders try to preserve the herd of legendary horses, carefully monitoring the fate of each foal.

Horse breed Shire (video)

Attention, only TODAY!

Now there are an incredible number of horse breeds: sports horses, decorative and working horses. Now it is difficult to say which type of rocks has great practical meaning in modern world, but several thousand years ago, it all started with workhorses - heavy trucks.

The animals were not very fast, but they were able to transport huge loads over long distances or were under the saddle of a rider in steel armor. A striking example of heavy trucks is the Shire horse.

Origins

For the first time, they started talking about horses with incredible endurance during the reign of William I, called the Conqueror, in England. In 1066, he introduced a new breed of horses, which differed incredible strength and endurance, but did not get along with the harsh English climate, in connection with which this unknown breed begins to be crossed with Friesian horses, and already young foals are much stronger and stronger than their parents.

But this was not enough, the breed was still inferior to most of the well-known heavy trucks that already existed at that time, and therefore the new ruler of England, Henry II, ordered the introduction of purebred Flanders heavy trucks into the country to strengthen the breed. This is how the breed appeared in the XII Shire, which is still considered one of the largest in the world.

Interesting! The animals did not receive the name immediately, but for as long as 6 centuries. The breed was originally called the Great Horse. But further than England - this name did not go away, and therefore the breed begins to be called Old English, and after - English.

In some regions of England, it was called the English Crow or Lincolnshire Giant. And only in the 17th century, when a specific description of the animal's exterior appeared, it was named Shire, which means "milestone", a line of growth and weight that no other breed can overcome.

The appearance of the beast

Height is the first thing that catches your eye when you see Shire horses. The height of the animal at the withers is 175 cm - the average height of a person.

Interesting! Henry VIII was an avid horse breeder, and therefore he states that if an adult Shire is below the 155 cm mark, he is not considered a purebred, even if his parents were true Shires. This increased the purity of the breed.

Weight also does not leave indifferent hippologists. On average, a mare weighs 900 kg, normal weight for an adult stallion - 1200 kg, which seems absolutely incredible even in comparison with other heavy trucks. The female's chest girth is 220 cm, and that of the male is 250 cm.

Horses have a medium-sized neck (relative to body size), muscular shoulders and a well-developed croup. The tail is lush, high-set. The mane is thick and almost completely covers one side of the neck. The girth of the hand is 25 cm. The hooves are decorated with a characteristic hairline, which almost completely covers them. The back is wide with a slight deflection. There is a Shire horse in 3 main colors:

1. Black. The animals are completely black in color. Sometimes there is a large, long spot on the broad forehead.
2. Bay. The light brown color is supported by a dark tail and mane. Very often the forehead is decorated with a wide white spot. The brushes are white.
3. Gray. Shire is completely gray in color, with a much darker mane and tail. There is a characteristic spot on the forehead and sometimes white brushes.

But ideally. You can often find a purebred Shire, whose body is much thicker decorated with white or gray spots. This difference is considered the norm.
Milk-colored shires are rare. Attempts to cross horses with this color, in order to deliberately obtain a foal with such a color, end in failure. The reason for this is the albinism gene - Ccr. It is called Cremello and awakens in animals without permission. Most often, the white "shirka" is a guest of various art exhibitions and show jumping.

Interesting! Now, to determine the "correct" thoroughbred stallion or horse, the growth of the animal must exceed as much as 163 cm, otherwise the animal is not suitable for procreation.

Record holders

Among the Shires, there are also favorites. Horses with exciting characteristics.
Shire's largest horse is William Conqueror. Unfortunately, apart from the incredible weight of 2343 kg, no more data has reached our days, not even a photo. The same applies to stallions Machless - 1509 kg, Lincoln - 1345 kg and John Bull - 1180 kg.

Despite such impressive numbers, not a single animal is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, since it is impossible to confirm the veracity of the information, which cannot be said about the stallion - Mammoth. The height of the horse was 219 cm at the withers. It is worth agreeing that he deserved his nickname by right. The weight of the animal was 1520 kg and this is an absolute record. In support of these data, the book also contains a photo of this car.

Interesting fact! Shires are enormous in size, but their character speaks completely of the opposite. Both stallions and mares are happy to ride those who wish, eat from their hands and are trainable.

In the CIS countries

Despite the popularity in Europe and America, in the CIS countries they are not yet particularly taken up with the cultivation of Shires. The fact is that taxes in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are high for farmers, and therefore to grow a breed of horses, specifically for decorative purposes (despite the fact that Shire is a heavy truck, all the work in the modern world is performed by equipment, not horses) - not profitable and even unprofitable. Therefore, domestic breeders can meet 3-5 representatives of this breed, exclusively "for show".

These are the mighty and strong Shires, which have become the standard of heavy draft breeds and the "material" for the creation of other working horses. Among other things, it is worth mentioning a few more interesting facts about these horses.

1. For the first time on the territory of Russia, the Shire appeared in the 19th century. In "pure form" horses did not last long, they began to cross with local breeds, to strengthen immune system... This is how the Vladimir heavy trucks appeared.
2. The diet of representatives of the breed is 3 rations sport horses... In terms of content, Shire is 3 Akhal-Teke horses.

For crossing and reproduction of Shires, unit fertilization is used, since the difference in growth and heavy weight stallion can harm the mare.
At the beginning of the journey, these horses were the most productive working breed in the world, but now, due to the senselessness of using manpower, the Shire have become decorative horses.

What do we know about this horse breed of Shire?

The name of the breed comes from the English word "shir", meaning the county. Such a breed as the Curt-Gorse and the Shire-Gorse is very famous and widespread, which also comes from local mares.

Despite the fact of ancient origin, it is not entirely homogeneous in mass. Its type is very variable - from a horse of extraordinary weight and size, which is only suitable for riding at a step, to folding and large mares, which will be quite suitable for a plow and a cart.

The biggest horses on the planet

Shire horses were bred in the eighteenth century in the vastness of England.

After the medieval tournament faded into oblivion, and the era of valiant knights faded into oblivion, Shire horses found new uses. They began to take an active part in the transportation of commercial goods and in agriculture. Roads in the seventeenth century were not easy. And thanks to their outstanding physical characteristics, the shires turned out to be good helpers in transporting goods along rocky ravines and river beds. These strong animals could carry loads weighing several tons and turned out to be indispensable in difficult natural conditions.

It is worth noting that then the appearance of Shire horses was completely different, different from the modern one. Their homeland England boasted very developed trade relations and often invited of various kinds specialists. So the first incest began, which began to bring a lot of new things into the external data of this breed. German horses could not have any influence on the Shire, which cannot be said about the Friesian and Flemish breeds. It was the Flemish horse breed, which is now endangered, that largely determined the appearance and character of the modern Shire horse. She made her character phlegmatic. The animal was ready to work in harness from an early age. The exterior of the horse has also changed. The back has become even more massive, the neck is slightly shorter. The Frisian incest made the Shire a little more sophisticated in movements, gave lightness in step.

Massive constitution

For example, in England in 1846, a foal was born, which was unthinkable large size... They named him Samson. And this nickname was given in honor of the biblical strongman. Well, when Samson had already grown up, his incredible height at the withers reached two meters nineteen centimeters. Actually, this stallion, as a result, was renamed Mammoth. It was with this nickname that he managed to enter world history horse breeding, as the tallest of those horses that have ever existed in the world. "Shire" and "shir", translated from Old English, mean "county". And, today, the whole central England is called "Shire".

Stallion Samson

There were some definite differences between the horses within the named breed. One stallion from Packington, called Blind Horse, is considered the ancestor of all modern Shires.

And the reliability of the fact whether this stallion was blind, in fact, has not been confirmed by any sources. So this cannot be argued. However, it was this animal that was recorded as the first horse of the Shire breed in the Shire Studbook that came out in 1878. In those days, representatives of this breed were also called "English draft" horses. But exactly six years later, they finally became shires.

For a long time, the Shire horse was also called the "big horse", as it had no equal in England. Due to the merit of Lord Oliver Cromwell, she acquired a new name. The figure of the English revolution paid much attention to agricultural reforms. It was he who began to call the horse "English black", indicating the main color of the animal. It is worth noting that they also inherited this feature from their Flemish ancestors.

The famous geologist and geographer of that time, Robert Bakewell, was closely involved in the cultivation of this breed. It was he who first began to use Flemish mares as continuers of the genus. The Shire breed of horses was markedly ennobled by Bakewell, and as a sign of respect to its personal breeder, the animal received a new name "Bakewell Black".

And in other countries of the Kingdom of Great Britain, the "English black" won honor and respect. In Scotland, she gave rise to a new breed, distinguished by its smaller size and weight. This new branch of Shire horses at one time received considerable fame in the countries of Europe.

Previously, shires were actively used for the most difficult farm work. Indeed, in the nineteenth century, horses were the main labor force, both in agriculture and in industry. They were especially useful at docks and railways. In order to perform work, horses with well-developed (musculature) and significant strength have always been needed. And the Shires worked on the docks and on the city streets. The needs of the empire and all the customs of that time demanded a truly unthinkable strength and massiveness from each horse, as well as a moment of impeccable obedience.

And so, it was the Shire breeds of horses that possessed the qualities indicated. At the same time, they were the largest and most powerful heavy trucks in the whole of great Britain.

Shire managed to gain widespread distribution at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Well, already in 1878, the Shire Horse Society was created, which flourished until the thirties of the twentieth century. Not a century, of course, but the term is still impressive.

By the 20th century, horses of the Shire breed occupy a leading position in number among all heavy draft horses of that time. Foreign breeders are beginning to be seriously interested in the "English crow". The studbook includes thousands of Shire representatives every year. The population is growing. At exhibitions, their number exceeds all expectations - about seven hundred individuals.

America saw the big English horse after they had a lasting glory in Europe. Here they were immediately appreciated. American breeders have noticed that Bakewell stallions produce strong and beautiful offspring, even when crossed with small ordinary mares. And their capacity for work and efficiency won the hearts of farmers and entrepreneurs. In the first year alone after meeting with the Shire, more than four hundred copies were brought to the western continent. No one could have expected the newly arrived British guests to be pushed off the pedestal of the world-famous American heavy-duty Percherons. After a solid foundation in the American continent, more than half of the Shires included in the studbook were born here.

In the fifties and sixties of the twentieth century, the number of Shire horses, exactly like many other horses, decreased significantly. Then the most terrible and sad, but no less real from this, the threat of disappearance from the face of the Earth hung over the breed. However, several selfless horse breeders came up with the idea of ​​saving the Shire. Thus, further the breed was able to regain its own former popularity.

In the eighties of the twentieth century, more than a hundred manufacturers were used, and then, more than four hundred different registrations were recorded annually. Impressive strength and very high growth Shire, were able to allow the setting of several world records of great importance. In particular, horses of this breed have become the official record holders in terms of carrying capacity. Among the representatives of the breed, the most real giants were born.

Twins

Exterior and suit

These are draft animals. They have a large head and a very broad forehead, and are long and muscular. They also have a low withers and a steep shoulder blade. Still wide chest and flat hooves. And the whole body, barrel-shaped in appearance. Horses such, in principle, have the exterior of draft animals, but there are also differences. The croup is muscular and wide, and the neck is too long for a draft horse, while the back is strong and short. And the Shire horses are, in principle, much larger. And their tail is fluffy, and, moreover, very high set. Horses of this breed manage to look very tall, due to the presence of long legs with the strongest hooves.

Mares are definitely inferior in size. They are approximately 130 centimeters at the withers. Well, the best representatives of this breed reach one meter eighty-five centimeters at the withers. Despite their own ancient origins, the Shires are, for the most part, not entirely homogeneous. Indeed, some of these animals have extraordinary weight and size in stock. They are only suitable for taking leisurely walks. Well, others are large horses. And they are already quite possible, even in a plow, even in a cart. An important feature of this breed is the proportionally developed body parts.

Such parts of the body as the chest and back are wide, as well as the sacrum, which provides endurance and tremendous strength of animals of this breed. These horses hold firmly own body and they eat superbly. The shire suit is also distinguished by an enviable variety. These are both black, bay, and gray, red animals. In short, for every taste. Typical for such horses are white stockings, which are most often on their hind legs, and a bald spot on the head.

In the event that, according to the historical data that reached contemporaries about this horse breed, heavily overgrown legs, as well as an identical mane and tail, were characteristic of the most ancient ancestors of the present Shire. Already in 1780, it was quite possible to meet a horse of this breed, which in stock had the most magnificent friezes, covering the legs below the hock and wrist joints, in front and behind. As for the nature of such animals, horses of this breed are distinguished by an incredibly balanced and calm temperament. Unprecedented ease of management is one of the most important distinctive features and one of the main advantages of this breed of animals.

Calm temperament

It is thanks to this that such horses are used in the process of crossing with other horses in order to get very obedient foals as a result of the action. The tremendous strength and good health, as well as endurance, as well as the amazing and good-natured character of Shire, were able to make them incredibly useful in various complex agricultural jobs, as well as in work activities taking place at railway stations. Lade's brewing and coal mining industry may well include the work of these animals. But mechanization, of course, took a certain part of the work from these wonderful horses. But all the same, they are in great demand.

Tribal work

At the beginning of the last century, shires were brought to Russia from Great Britain. Here they served as the ancestors of the now famous Vladimir heavy trucks. Also, for their selection, the closest Scottish relatives of the shires were taken - the Clydesdale, which have a lower weight and size, and the American, previously mentioned Percherons. The Shire horses themselves took part in breeding for the first time. But Russian breeders began to note that English horses require much more food than other heavy draft horses, and, moreover, they are more demanding in care and maintenance. Thus, on the basis of the Shires and Clydesdals, a less whimsical Vladimir breed of heavy trucks was bred, which perfectly adapted to the harsh Russian conditions. To this day, the names of their English ancestors can be seen in the genealogies of Vladimir heavy trucks.

The author of one of the books on horse breeding notes that great attention it is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of the mare selected for the Shire stallion. If it is undersized and bad physical indicators, under conditions of not the best food for a foal, the offspring may turn out to be unworthy.

Studbook

The "stallion from Packington" should be considered the ancestor of the Shire line. It is his nickname that is most often mentioned at the beginning of the long lineages that exist today. The fact is that the Shire herdbook was founded only at the end of the 19th century, which does not give us the opportunity to trace earlier ancestors. It now has a three-tiered structure with subdivisions for the main group and two additional groups A and B.

Subgroup A includes mares produced from officially registered stallions and unregistered queens. If such a mare is crossed with a noble stallion with a pedigree, then their female descendant falls into group B. And if such a mare from group B is covered with an officially registered stallion, she turns out to be along the main line of the pedigree. That is, it is considered a purebred. Before the entry of all individuals into the herd book, strict regulations have been introduced for donating blood for paternity or genetic tests, which are popular recently.

Scope of application

Shire's horses can help people in the fields and can often be seen hauling brewery-style wagons or harnessed to a carriage. Naturally, they decorate many equestrian exhibitions as wonderful examples of beauty. And how does a rider feel riding on such a horse? Reviews suggest that riders feel incredibly comfortable, as if they are sitting on a soft sofa. And most of the heavy trucks have incredibly soft gaits.

Soft gait

However, it is too difficult to gallop these handsome men. Actually, how to stop this action later. And this fact must be taken into account. In the event that the rider is not too confident in his own abilities related to controlling the horse, it is best not to overclock this powerful animal!

Current situation

Today Shire horses are constant participants in competitions and exhibitions. They still show amazing results in endurance and delight the eye of the viewer with an enviable physical form... Until now, "big" horses are supplied to many countries of the world and do not lose their importance.