The English breed of horses Shire 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 a large heavy draft, capable of pulling a plow. Horses shire breed differ from others not only tall 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 metacarpus of heavy trucks is round and is 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 limits 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 received 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, later they began to talk about English heavy trucks as often as about local Percherons. In Russia, shires were not bred, but horses were brought to improve local breeds. And although some of the heavy haulers had the best 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 set an absolute record in size in 1846. 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)

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Among the many animals that a person uses, with whom he simply befriends and closely communicates, there are horses. They are perhaps the largest tamed animals. And among these great friends of man there are real giants - shire horses.

Description of the shire horse

Shire breed refers to heavy trucks. It has its pedigree from medieval England, where such horses were used not only for carrying heavy loads, but also for military purposes, because knights in armor weighed a lot, and not every animal could withstand such a load for a long time.

To develop a new breed, Flanders and Friesian horses were crossed with local ones. For several hundred years, breeders have achieved their goals, and the result has exceeded all expectations.

At the moment, the standard implies three different suits: bay, black and gray. Small white spots are acceptable, white stockings on the legs. The main difference shire horses in their size - stallion height from 173 cm, weight from 900 kg., chest from 215 cm in diameter, metacarpus from 25 cm in diameter.

These are the minimum values ​​and are exceeded on average. The addition is proportional, chest, back, sacrum are wide. The largest registered stallion is Samson (Mammoth), 2.19 meters high at the withers and weighing 1520 kg.

You can especially notice the difference with ordinary horses when a person is standing nearby. Can be seen at photo of shire that these horses are much larger than the animals we are accustomed to.

The part of the leg called the metacarpus has a specific meaning and indicates the structure of the tendons and ligaments. In different breeds, this part of the leg is different, in heavy trucks the metacarpus is rounded. Friezes (hair on the lower legs) of this breed are thick and long.

The head is large, with a wide forehead, the ears are small, and the neck is short. There is a hump on the nose. The body is muscular, the legs are strong, powerful, the hooves are large. The tail is set high. The mane is fluffy, long. Its natural beauty is adorned by the owners themselves by weaving various braids, as well as weaving bright ribbons into the mane.

Within the breed, there are also slight differences in appearance, depending on where they come from. So their Yorkshire horses are leaner and more resilient. The Cambridge are more bony and the friezes are longer on their legs.

Habitat and features of the Shire breed

As mentioned earlier, the Shire breed was bred in England, later from there it began to spread first to Ireland and Scotland, and then around the world. The 16th century needed heavy horses that took part in military campaigns. Later, knights performed on horseback at tournaments.

In the 18th century, the roads were improved, heavy stagecoaches began to walk on them, which could only be pulled by large shires. The popularity of this breed has increased even more. In the 19th century, agriculture began to develop actively, and hardy and obedient giants became the main labor force.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was widely represented in the United States. But, after the end of the Second World War, the need for large ones gradually disappeared.

People began to move around in other vehicles, and it was expensive to keep such a large horse, so farmers preferred to abandon this breed in favor of smaller ones.

If in 1909-1911. more than 6600 individuals were registered in the United States, then in 1959 there were only 25 representatives of the breed! The Shires were gradually dying out.

Now the breed is gaining popularity again in all countries. This is largely due to the conservative English, for whom shires are not just strong, useful and practical animals, but part of history. The Shire Society presented an annual award to the best horse of this breed.

The amount was quite impressive - 35 thousand pounds sterling. The growth of the sales market abroad also helped to revive the population. now play an aesthetic role in many ways. Numerous exhibitions, performances, tournaments, shows and auctions are held.

Shire horse care and cost

Otherwise, the shire may have wood lice on his legs. It is an unpleasant disease that is easier to prevent. After the walk, you need to wash your feet and hooves, sprinkle them with sawdust and comb them out later.

No special care is required for the mane and lush tail, you just need to comb them out and clean them of dirt. In the heat, you can braid a braid from the mane so that your hair does not get tangled. In the summertime, you should wash your horse twice a week with shampoo and conditioner.

English heavy truck shaira can buy, but you need to be prepared for the fact that the price for an adult horse is quite high, reaching 1.5 million rubles. You can buy a foal at a price of 300 thousand.

But the final cost will depend on many factors. First of all, the price is influenced by age and gender. Naturally, healthy horses with appropriate certificates of their pedigree and confirmation from a veterinarian that the animal is healthy are valued more expensive, vaccinations were given to it on time, and so on.

Awards and achievements of the animal at various exhibitions and competitions are also of great importance. They also attach importance to the exterior. Pay attention to who the seller is, what is his reputation. And, of course, if the animal is far away, then the future owner also pays for its transportation.

Shire horse nutrition

Each owner chooses for himself what to feed his pets. All can be kept on concentrated feed, but the presence of hay and grass is required. Shire in view of their large sizes eat a lot more.

Heavy trucks consume 12-15 kilograms of hay or grass per day. But they do not need concentrates; it costs very little to give them. Top dressing for growth is not necessary at all.

It is best to include herbal flour and oilcake in the diet as nutritional supplements. In the summer, this food can be given from 5 to 7 kilograms. Also, your pet will be happy with vegetables and fruits - beets and carrots, apples. The animal should always have clean drink.

Reproduction and lifespan of the breed

When breeding a breed, it is not only the appearance of the Shire horse that matters, but the mare is also chosen according to its standard. It must be necessarily proportional, the same as the male, only smaller in all respects.

The pedigree book of the breed was closed for some time, but now it has been renewed and built on a different principle. The offspring are treated very strictly, in order to be sure of the name of this or that foal, a DNA test is done for it.

All animals are entered in the herd book, but in different sections. Newborn females from a purebred father and an unregistered mare are categorized as "A".

This filly is covered by a purebred stallion, their offspring are already classified as "B". If the offspring is again feminine, then she is again covered by a registered stallion and already their offspring are considered purebred. On average, horses live 20-35 years, but much depends on the conditions of maintenance and care.

What breed are the smallest, each person will answer without hesitation - ponies. And if you ask a question about the largest horse breed? Not everyone can answer quickly here. The largest horse breed is the Shire. Let's find out more about their appearance and origin.

History of appearance

To find out where the Shire horses came from, one must look back many centuries. Scientists say that the ancient Romans had a hand in their appearance in the British Isles. Whether it is true or not, it is difficult to say for sure. But it is safe to say that the ancestors of the modern Shires were the horses of William the Conqueror, who used war horses in the fight for England, which instilled fear in the British by their very appearance.

Over time, by mixing local breeds of large horses, the shire appeared. Scientist Robert Bakewell put a lot of work into the careful selection of Shire. In the middle of the 17th century, by crossing with the best representatives of heavy draft horses, he bred an improved version of the Shire horses, which, with their strength and power, became famous throughout the continent.

Did you know? The largest horse named Mammoth was registered in 1846, its height of 220 cm was recognized as the highest in history.

Characteristics and description of the breed

The main feature of shires is proportionally developed body parts. The broad and strong back and rump provide tremendous performance and strength.

Height and weight

The height at the withers ranges from 1 m 65 cm to a record 2 m 20 cm. Weight from 900 kg to 1200 kg, but animals are known whose body weight reached 1500 kg. The mares are slightly shorter - their height ranges from 130-150 cm.

Important! For the full development of the shire, daily physical activity and good nutrition are necessary. Such a horse eats almost intwo times more than usual. He eats about 20 kg of hay per day.

Exterior

Let's find out what these world-famous heavyweights look like - they have large heads, large eyes and nostrils, and a nose with a slight hump. The shape of the body is a bit like a barrel. Long and powerful neck, smoothly turning into a wide and strong back, powerful chest and muscular legs with wide hooves - this is how heavy draft Shire breed looks like. A massive jaw is an undesirable symptom.

Suit

Shires have rich colors - there are bay, red, black and gray horses. In general, the choice of colors will satisfy even the most fastidious animal lovers. Roan specimens are found among mares. But tribal standards allow for white spots on the body. An interesting feature this breed is the presence of white stockings on hind legs and bald spots behind the ears.

Character

Looking at the representatives of the breed of the largest horses in the world, you involuntarily imagine their cool and unbridled temper. But in reality this is absolutely not the case. Shires have a calm and docile disposition. They are easy to train. Due to these qualities, they are often crossed with breeding horses, as a result of which stallions are born, which in the future are ideal for participation in competitions and triathlon.

Important! The optimal form of gait for a horse is gait. It is difficult to make the Shires run at a gallop. In addition, not every rider can cope with a giant at such a speed, as well as slow it down.

Distinctive features

Inside the draft horses, there are also some peculiarities. For example, shires from Yorkshire are distinguished by their endurance, outwardly they are leaner, but shires from Cambridge have thicker friezes (hair at the bottom of the knee joint).

The breed today

In connection with the automation of many industrial processes in the 50s of the twentieth century, interest in this breed subsided somewhat. But the popularity of Shire heavy trucks abroad, their participation in exhibitions and competitions provoked a new growth in their popularity. Today the Shires actively participate in competitions for plowing fields, in races, at exhibitions. Also, they can often be found in a team carrying beer or kvass on various city holidays.
This horse breed is deservedly considered the property of England. And it's not just that they come from there. It was the shires that helped to "put on its feet" the industry of the mainland: shipbuilding, railways, agriculture, transportation of goods - in every industry the hardworking heavy trucks of the Shire were reliable helpers of the British.

Typical Shire draft horses should have a large, heavy head with a large, broad forehead. The Shire heavy horse breed (Shire) should not have ears that are too small or large.

Smooth and short should flow smoothly into a short and strong back. Rear end the body of the Shire horse breed should be powerful and large, and the tail set high. Strong and powerful forearms and horses, with large and sturdy hooves, are connected by muscular forearms in the horse.

Shire draft horses are officially recognized as the strongest, largest and heaviest horses.

Shire in harness

The Shire horse breed comes from England, and the ancestors were the horses on which the knights made their crusades. Given the history of the origin of the Shire, these horses have been recognized as one of the oldest heavy-harness breeds in the world, although there is no exact date of its formation.

Back in the late XII - early XIII centuries, the English king John issued a decree on the import of a large number of strong Dutch (Flemish) foals into the country, which became the ancestors of the Shire draft horses.

Despite the fact that the date of the appearance of this breed is unknown, it is absolutely certain that in the 16th century the English government began to intensively breed horses with a strong, but mighty and dignified exterior. It was very important for the heads of state of that time that horses were bred in England, therefore, decrees were issued prohibiting the import of adult horses or large foals.

Majestic power

At that time, horses of the Shire breeds were used exclusively as war horses. And only after tournaments and armed knights ceased to exist, this breed began to be used as a harness.

The end of the 16th century saw progress in the military sphere, as a result of which the armor of the equestrian knights became much lighter. This allowed them to change from the powerful ones, able to carry a lot of iron on themselves, to the lighter and more agile trotters. Thus, the "big horse" had to be harnessed to the cart, where it found its main application. From the admiring testimonies of that time, it is known about horses that carried 3.5 - ton loads in our understanding - off-road.

Thomas Blandville lived just at that period of time (from 1561 to 1602) when Shire horses of German, Flemish and Frisian breeds began to be brought to the island, which he told his descendants about. The greatest influence on the formation of the English breed, in contrast to the Germans, was left by the Flemish and Frisian genes. The Frisians brought nobility to the image of the Englishwoman, giving her movements relaxedness and lightness. However, more Flanders blood was mixed, thanks to the Flemish swamp dryers. They brought their sluggish "heavyweights" to work in East England, and so they left it, literally - "for divorce."

Black color

Due to the prevailing black color of the Flanders ancestors, in the 17th century the "big horse" was named Big, English and black, or simply - "English black", as Oliver Cromwell called it. Since then, the definition has stuck precisely in relation to the large English draft, the ancestor of the present Shire.

Since the 18th century, the Shire breed was retrained into an agricultural one. Shire horses began to be widely used for work on farms and fields. At a time when agriculture began to develop in huge leaps, the Shire helped the formation of not a single large farm.

Breeder Robert Bakewell, who lived from 1725-1795, improved the Leicestershire breed with the help of Flanders females. Yes, so successful that the species he bred was called the "Bakewell Crow."

Scotland acquired its own large heavy horse - the Clydesdale, in the formation of which the Shire horse breed played an important role. These "Scots", very popular, and not only in Great Britain, are quite similar to shire, but inferior to them in size and weight.

By the 19th century, the popularity of the Shire in their homeland reached its climax. So much so that foreign breeders, breeders and merchants became interested in them. The studbook was annually replenished with thousands of heads, of which up to 1000 are stallions, 3-4 thousand are mares. Exhibitions were represented by 600-700 horses.

The year 1836 was marked for the Shire's first crossing of the Atlantic, which gave impetus to the massive import of this breed to the States, but only half a century later. Small and relatively thin-boned American mares, thanks to the Shire stallions, began to breed as rather tall foals, which did not escape the attention of cowboys. 400 shires were imported by the Americans in 1887 alone. By the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, even the Percherons, the most numerous breed of heavy trucks in the United States, were forced to give up somewhat on the freight market to shaggy English giants with an aristocratic gait. Of the 6,700 foals recorded in the studbook for three years (1909 - 1911), 80% were born in America.

Today, when the Shire horse breed almost suffered its extinction, a massive interest in these ancient draft horses has awakened. Many are trying to revive the Shire horse breed, and although there are far less than a thousand registered heads today, connoisseurs of these heroes do not lose hope.

Shire's foal

Russia in the late XIX - early XX centuries felt the need for large horses for transportation heavy loads... Shires were the best choice for breeding such a breed.

The main feature of the Shire breeds, according to Prince Urusov, was their demand for food, more precisely, for its quantity. The descendants of Shire horses could meet expectations only with abundant feeding and careful care, which is possible only in countries with suitable natural and social resources. Compared to other breeds, the Shire certainly eat more. Requiring the same amount of concentrates, they should be generously rewarded with hay and grass.

Another important detail of selection, in which the Shire horse breed is used, is mentioned by the author of the "Book of the Horse". This is the need for a mare of a suitable shape for a stallion - a shire. The female must be chosen very carefully, otherwise individuals may be born that are far from meeting expectations.

Apparently, due to a very whimsical selection procedure for the largest breeds, in Russia preference was given to crossing with smaller Clydesdals.
However, judging by the pedigrees of the Vladimir draft horses, the Shires added their contribution to the breeding of this pride of Russian horse breeding.

Obedient disposition

Especially for the Shire breed, the studbook was started in the 78th year of the 19th century, and after 7 years, the Shire breeders founded their own Society. Black "The Blind Stallion of Packington", whose nickname is most often captured in the first volume of the student book, can be considered the ancestor of modern horses of this breed. After 12 years, the studbook was closed, and only offspring from individuals with registration were brought in.

Now the herd book is built according to the so-called “three-step” principle. The main section is reserved for purebred animals. A filly born of a registered stallion and an unregistered mare falls into subsection "A". The offspring from a mare from this section and a stallion from the main one are recorded in section "B", and from the "marriage" of a female from "B" -class with a registered stallion, a purebred mare is obtained. Only females obtained as a result of such coverings are used in breeding.

The book's accounting is very strict. Paternity is confirmed by the necessary blood test to enter the offspring in any section. Nowadays, a DNA test is widely used.

Good-natured giant

Society of Amateur and Breeders

This organization had a privileged status. Literally from the foundation, the Society of Amateurs and Breeders was sponsored by the English The Royal Family... For three years (1886–89) it was headed by King Edward the Seventh, who boasted two champions raised in his factory.

The current state of the breed

IN modern world horses play rather an aesthetic and historical role. The Shire horse breed is no exception, although in some regions it is still effectively used in practice.

Basically, these beautiful horses are constant participants in all kinds of exhibitions and equestrian performances, where they participate in tournaments, shows and auctions. The British are known for their conservatism, and thanks in part to it, the current state of the Shire breed is encouraging.

It can be said that the domestication of the horse has brought man to a new level. It became easier for him to cultivate the land, more profitable to engage in trade and more convenient to travel. Each area of ​​activity put forward its own requirements for the strength, endurance, speed and appearance of animals. This is how various breeds of horses appeared.

Heavy horses have taken a special niche. With their help, it was possible to move various loads over long distances. The powerful beauties easily withstood the weight of the knights in combat gear. In addition, they were used as a pulling force in manufacturing and construction. One of the most famous breeds of heavy draft horses originated in medieval England - the Shire horses. Let's try to consider this breed in more detail.

How it all began

Experts in the history of England claim that the first mentions of large and hardy horses, which became the founders of a new breed, are found in 1066. Most likely, they came to the country during the reign of William I, who was called the Conqueror. But exact information about this has not been preserved.

To breed a special breed of local producers with Fladres and Friesian horses... This work was carried out for several centuries, and its result exceeded the wildest expectations.

Further development of the breed

Many rulers of England were interested in horse breeding. For example, King Henry II, who took the throne in 1154, ordered the import of large horses from Flanders into the country to improve the breed.

The government of Henry VIII owns the first state acts prohibiting the breeding of heavy-harness breeds, the growth of which is less than 154 cm. To increase growth, it was recommended to cross the Shire with German, Belgian and Dutch breeds.

Queen Elizabeth, who ascended the throne in 1558, played a significant role in the development of the "great horses"; she also demanded that the government increase the number of heavy trucks.

To achieve the optimal parameters of the breed, breeders were forbidden to let representatives on the tribe, whose parameters were less than the lower limit of measurements. This was monitored, and since the 17th century, breeders could be punished for such non-compliance. Horses were also closely monitored when exported outside England. It was forbidden to export individuals with insufficient growth even to Scotland and Ireland.

In 1878, a stud book was published, in which the founder of the new breed was indicated. This honor went to a stud stallion with the funny nickname Blind Horse. From this point on, the Shire breed has been tracked in detail.

Most likely, the ancestor of the breed was not blind, this is just the imagination of the owner, but some historians argue that such a defect took place.

Actually, in 1878 a society of horse breeders was organized, specializing in breeding shire. And in 1880, a special studbook was established, in which important information about the breed was preserved. As soon as the English draft became the subject of special exhibitions, the studbook began to record foals, mares and adult stallions selected for the shows.

It is interesting to note that English heavy trucks did not immediately take on their name. At first, the name Great Horse was encountered, which translates as "great horse". Later, the breed was called Old English and English. In the 18th century, the names "English black" and "Lincolnshire giant" were often found. Then the name "shire" was assigned to the breed, which can be translated as "border" or "county".

The appearance of stallions

Shire horses stand out in a special way Breeders have given this moment great attention... According to the standard, stallions can be of three colors:

• black;
• bay;
• gray.

A small amount of white spots is permissible in the color. This can be an arrow on the muzzle from the forehead to the tip of the nose, or white stockings.

According to the breed standard, stallions cannot be less than the following parameters:

• height at the withers - from 173 cm and above;
• permissible horse weight - from 900 kg (on average, it is 1100-1200 kg);
• girth chest starts at 215 cm (average - 255 cm);
• the metacarpus of the forelimb - at least 25 cm in girth.

The metacarpus is used to judge the general development of the skeleton and tendon-ligamentous apparatus of the animal. This is the part of the leg between the wrist and the headstock (butt bone). The structure of the metacarpus is different for horses of different directions. For heavy trucks, a rounded shape is characteristic, on which the tendons are not visible, but palpable.

The appearance of mares

For the purity of the breed, the appearance and become of the mares also matters, but here some liberty is permissible. So, for example, a roan can be added to the three main suits. In addition, the number of white markings is not so strictly regulated. There may be more of them than is acceptable for stallions.

When measuring the parameters of mares, it is always taken into account that they are somewhat smaller and lower. In this case, the minimum height of the horse is measured from 163 cm at the withers.

Distinctive features of the exterior

In addition to height, weight and chest girth, there are a number of exterior features of the breed. All representatives are characterized by a massive head with a wide forehead. The nose has a characteristic hump. The ears are not too large, rather medium in size. All Shire horses have short neck high exit, firm short back, muscular shoulders and steep shoulder blades. The breed is characterized by a long and wide croup with a high tail set.

Horses have a lush, flowing mane. It can be long or medium, often the owners braid special braids for beauty. different kind... Sometimes ribbons or colored threads are woven into them. Some owners prefer decorative haircuts for their pets' manes. Since Shire horses often participate in competitions and shows, the appearance of the mane is very important.

Particular attention is paid to the legs. They should be long, strong and powerful. Lush and furry friezes grow on the wrist and hock joints, giving the breed a special chic. The hooves must be large enough to support the weight of the animal. Most often they are completely hidden under the so-called brush (frieze).

Intra-breed types

Historically, within a breed, animals are divided into several types. Shires raised by Yorkshire breeders have a leaner physique and more stamina. Animals raised in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have more pronounced brushes on their feet and a more bony constitution.

Attempts at distant export

On the territory of Europe, the breed took root perfectly, which led to its high popularity. But in 1853, several shires were exported to America. It was quite costly and difficult to transport animals, so the United States until 1880 was not particularly interested in the import of British heavy trucks. However, the European breed in America has become a worthy competitor to the local Percherons. Since about 1910, horses have not only been imported into the country, but also bred on the spot. During this period, almost 80% of the world's total population of Shire was raised in the United States.

Shires were brought into the territory of Russia only for the purpose of breeding and improving local heavy breeds. So, for example, the blood of the Shire is present in the Vladimir heavy trucks. Their characteristics were better, but this was not enough for the "British" to oust the domestic "strongmen".

World record holder

The Shire heavy draft horse is considered the largest horse in the world. This breed holds records for height and weight. Even the average representatives amaze the imagination with their size and power. What can we say about the recognized record holder! The world record belongs to the largest shire, named stallion, was 219 cm tall at the withers, and the horse's weight exceeded 1520 kg. The record was set in 1846, initially the foal was named Samson, but then his nickname was changed.

The home of the record holder is Toddington Mills, Bedfordshire.

Notable representatives

Thanks to accurate accounting and complete lists the names of the most prominent representatives of the breed of those times have come down to us:

• Lincoln 1345.
• Machless 1509.
• William Conqueror 2343.
• John Boole 1180.

These stallions became the progenitors of a large number of breed champions. They gave several lines of exhibit representatives with a powerful article and solid stature.

Today the stallion Cracker is considered the largest shire in Europe. According to 2007 data, his height is 198 cm, and his weight exceeds 1200 kg. Cracker's homeland is Lincolnshire. In the world, the largest is the shire from Australia Noddy (in some sources Nobby). His height is 205 cm.

How to care for an English draft truck

It cannot be said that the content of the Shire is very different from the content of other heavy-draft breeds. Since the animal is large, it requires more feed. Hay and fresh grass takes up to 17 kg per day. Record-breaking horses require more than 25 kg of feed per day. Concentrated dressings are rarely used; dressings for distilling growth are not used at all. Herbal flour and cake can be used as concentrates. The daily dose of such feeding is about 7 kg. Shires love apples, beets and carrots. It is important to remember to give your horse clean water.

Mane and tail grooming is a must for this breed. If an animal has long friezes on its legs, then they are also regularly washed and combed out. For hygiene procedures, special shampoos and conditioners are used. Braiding keeps the mane and tail from tangling.

As with other breeds, the Shire must be kept clean in the stable. It is important that the bedding in the stall is dry. With insufficient care, the legs of animals are prone to biting. This problem is especially common in horses with coarse and coarse hair in the frieze area. To prevent biting midges, horses are washed their feet, dried them and crushed with small sawdust. After a while, the sawdust is combed out of the friezes.

The animal must be able to move daily. It is imperative to take long walks and subject to reasonable stress.

Character

Shires are surprisingly docile. This horse is not afraid of work, it will obediently follow any command. Discontent and irritation are extremely rare. Kindness, loyalty and obedience are the main character traits of the animal.

Riders representing horses at shows and competitions know that it takes strength and confidence to handle such a horse. Giants easily carry loads, their gait is smooth and measured, but to gallop them is not easy. And given the power, it is also dangerous. In addition, it is quite difficult to stop a galloping shire, so such experiments are rarely carried out.

How are things today?

Technological progress has put the British heavy trucks on the brink of survival. Their livestock has dropped critically. There are only a few hundred shires in Europe today. For this reason, purebred Shire foals are highly valued by connoisseurs. Each of them is recorded and tracked.

Breeders do their best to increase the livestock and preserve the breed, but this is not an easy job. A herd book is still being kept, in which all foals are entered according to a three-stage principle. The main section is reserved for purebred offspring.

There is a special classification for "half marriages". Offspring (filly) from a registered stallion and unregistered mares are classified in category "A". Further, this new filly is covered by a registered stallion, and their offspring (filly) are transferred to category "B". A mare from category “B” is covered by a registered stallion and this offspring is considered purebred. Only purebred mares are allowed for selection.

To prove paternity, each foal undergoes a DNA test, on the basis of which it is assigned to a certain category.

How the approach to the use of the breed has changed

A strong and hardy horse, the Shire was able to carry a large load on its back. Such a horse in the 16th century turned out to be indispensable in military operations, since chain mail, armor and weapons were of considerable weight. However, gradually the vestments of the military changed, and went down in history, the need for heavy trucks for the army became less.

The 19th century gave impetus to the development of agriculture and trade. Shirskaya is the main labor force on farms, in ports, on the railroad. Heavy harnesses moved along city roads and outside cities.

With the advent of cars, trucks and trams, it became unprofitable to raise and feed heavy-harness horses. Smallholder farmers have switched to more economical breeds. This almost became the reason for the complete destruction of the breed, which has lost its attractiveness. However, thanks to the enthusiasts of their craft, the breed has survived.

Today the shire is a horse whose price is comparable to that of an elite racehorse. In Russia, the cost English heavy truck is about 1 million rubles. The breed is used for exhibitions and competitions. Often thoroughbred stallions participate in promotions and commercials. Shires have gained particular popularity among beer producers. They are harnessed to advertising carts loaded with beer kegs.

However, all this does not mean that horses have lost the skills of agricultural and cargo work. They can easily pull a carriage, a loaded wagon and a plow. Individuals that are not suitable for breeding work can be found on farms and private backyards.

Shire horses are very hardy, strong and graceful at the same time. One cannot but love such animals, they delight with their appearance and mind.