Shire Horse

by The Equinest

Intro


Descendant from the English Great Horse of the Middle Ages, the Shire horse is among the largest of the draft breeds .Origins


Appearing in Britan around the end of the 16th century when strong animals were needed to pull heavy wagons and coaches long distances over rough terrain. The Shire derived from blood of forest horses, and Fresian and Flanders horse imports.



The English Great horse is still considered the Shire horse’s principle ancestor, although its bloodlines were slowly reduced in the stock as the influx of Dutch Fresian blood grew stronger.



Modern Shire horses are renowned for their strength, a pair of Shire horses have pulled 16.5 tons of weight on granite paving tiles.



Features

Average height Over 17 hands

Extremely large animals

Incredible pulling strength

One of the biggest horses in the world



Physique

Long neck for a draft horse, with wide shoulders

Legs are clean and muscular, hocks set for maximum leverage

Heavy feathering on back of legs

Big, round hooves



Traditional Colors

black
chestnut
grey
bay



Temperament

Big and gentle, the Shire is a docile giant



Use


General riding

Show horses

Parade horse

Just an example of the lovely Shires that we have for sale at RiceCreekShires.com.

Why are shire horses endangered?

by Wikianswers


•Are shire horses endangered?

Yes, because of their large size many people don't want them any longer. People tend to buy more athletic, lighter horses. However, I will always prefer a shire :)



•Why is a shire horse called a shire horse?

The shire horse is named a shire horse because it originated in the shire counties of England.



•Why horses are in endangered?

Horses themselves are not endangered but certain species are. Australia is home to the most wild horses in the world. They are brumbies, they are an official breed however, the other small percentage...



•When is a horse in endangered?

It depends where the horse is if it is in the wildlife it would be more endangered than a farm or ranch. Horses don't really get indangered because people don't want to kill them like with cows for...



•Why are horses endangered?

Probably mostly because horses today are used mostly for riding, not for breeding.




Why not keep the Shire bloodlines strong? We have lovely Shires for sale at Rice Creek Shires.com

Make Mine a Draft: The Appeal of Draft Horses

by Laurel Scott


http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/sports/driving/draft021603/#.Tsq8YtmcXIk.email

Galloping Show Shires

How to Buy a Draft Horse

by EHOW
The draft horse has a famously laid back personality and makes a great all around horse for the entire family to enjoy. Whether it's a lazy ride out on the trail, some arena work or time under harness driving through the countryside, if you buy a draft, you'll feel like you have a giant, sweet dog living out in your pasture. Drafts do eat a bit more than a regular sized horse and they need larger tack and horseshoes, if you choose to shoe. But they are worth all the super-sized equipment, because they bring a gentle attitude and a good, dependable work ethic.

Buy a wonderful Shire from RiceCreekShires.com