How tall can Shire horses get?

What colors do shire horses come in?

Shire horses come in black, bay, gray, and chestnut or sorrel, although the U.K. breed standard does not allow chestnut colors. Likewise, according to the American breed standard, “roans and excessive white markings are undesirable.”.

Why are shire horses so popular?

Shire horses are popular because they aim to please. The Shire Horse’s coat should be silky, fine, and straight. The colors associated with this breed include brown, gray, bay, and black, as well as chestnut, sorrel, and roan.

What are shire horses used for?

Shire horses were established as a breed in the mid-1800s in the United Kingdom, though their origins are much older than that. They are believed to be descendants of the Great English Horse that carried men into battle. As the breed developed, they were used for agriculture, hauling and even as a war horse during WWI and WWII.

What was the Shire used for?

The Shire has a great capacity for weight-pulling; it was used for farm work, to tow barges at a time when the canal system was the principal means of goods transport, and as a cart-horse for road transport.

Are shire horses good draft horses?

Of all the breeds of draft horse, the English Shire Horse is among the most majestic. It has had a long and varied history, throughout which it has managed to stay useful and relevant despite the changing times due to its gentle character and impressive strength.

What are the ancestors of the Shire?

The Ancestors of the Shire were famously used as battle horses because of their great size and strength. The breeding of the Great Horse, the Flanders Horse, and the Friesian led to the creation of a horse known as the English Black.

How did the Shire horse become a war horse?

Again it became a war horse in the 1st & 2nd world wars pulling the heavy artillery in appalling conditions. The Shire Horse nearly became extinct after the 2nd World War and it was only the dedication of a small number of breeders l that has prevented it from disappearing from our countryside for ever.

What is a shire horse used for?

The Shire horse was used extensively to pull carts of ale from breweries to public houses. Before World War I, these gentle giants commonly served as farm horses, pulling wagons and working agricultural fields.

Where can I see a shire horse working?

There are also a number of Heavy Horse Centres, working farms and rural life museums around the country, many of whom feature Shire horses working, and allow the public, especially children to get close to the horses.

Are shire horses cold blooded draft horses?

Shire’s are cold-blooded draft horses, which share the common traits of strength, patience, and calm temperament. Horses are further grouped loosely as either warm-blooded, hot-blooded, or cold-blooded. These terms indicate the characteristics a horse may display.

When did the Shire horse go extinct?

Thousands of Shires were slaughtered and several large breeding studs closed. The breed fell to its lowest point in the 1950s and 1960s, and in 1955 fewer than 100 horses were shown at the annual British Spring Show. In the 1970s, the breed began to be revived through increased public interest.

Are shire horses good in war?

Because Shire Horses are so calm and placid, we do not think that they would be good in wars. However, it is because of war that the Shire horse came into being. Native British horses were quite small and light, like the ponies you can still see in wild in places like the New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor.

How did Warwar horse get started?

War Horse happened because of a happy coincidence, and because Tom Morris [who co-directed the stage version for the National Theatre] listens to his mother. Tom was determined to do a show with Handspring Puppets, but because of its talent for lifesize animal puppets he needed something with an animal hero.

Why did the Shire horse come into being?

However, it is because of war that the Shire horse came into being. Native British horses were quite small and light, like the ponies you can still see in wild in places like the New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor. When knights started wearing heavy suits of armour the horses were unable to carry them.

Are shire horses good for beginners?

Appearing similar to a Clydesdale, these horses are absolutely massive with large hooves and feathering on their legs. But in spite of their imposing size, shire horses are typically calm, docile, and eager to please. They can be good for horse lovers of any experience level, as long as the person is comfortable with such a large horse.

Why visit Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre?

At Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre there is lots to see and do to make your visit interesting and enjoyable. You can learn all about the Shire horse, from its history carrying knights in armour to our important studwork today, ensuring the future of this magnificent breed.

Where to see shire horses in the UK?

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is the only Shire Horse stud farm in the UK open to the public, with up to 30 shires to see during the stud season. Our Lakeside Café is fully open serving a selection of hot and chilled drinks, homemade soup, filled rolls and paninis, cakes & bakes not to forget our delicious cream teas!

Why choose a shire horse?

Our Shire horses are especially favoured by our older visitors who can remember working with these magnificent animals on the farms and in our cities, a common memory of yesteryear. After visiting with the grandchildren they will often slip back on a weekday afternoon to spend more time with the horses and often share their memories with our staff.

What is a Cold Blood Horse?

Cold-bloods are not a breed, but rather a category of horses that includes a variety of different breeds. English shire horses, a type of cold-blooded horse, carried knights into battle during the middle ages.

Are Friesian horses cold blood?

Breed wise coldblood horses encompass the draught breeds–such as Shires, Percherons, Ardennes, and Suffolk Punches. Sometimes the description is broadened to include heavy cobs and riding types such as Icelandic ponies and Friesian horses. Some fans of the latter will say that Friesians belong to a separate category of “baroque” horses.

Could Britain’s shire horses be extinct within a generation?

Britain’s shire horses could be extinct within a generation following a drastic drop in the number of breeders, experts have warned. Horse breeder Harry Gott with one of his shire horses at Treskillard Farm near Redruth Cornwall.

When did the Shire horse population decline?

In the United States, the Shire population dropped significantly in the early part of the twentieth century, and continued to decline in the 1940s and 1950s. Between 1950 and 1959, only 25 horses were registered in the United States.

When did the Shire horse come to America?

The first Shires were imported to the United States in 1853, with large numbers of horses being imported in the 1880s. The American Shire Horse Association was established in 1885 to register and promote the breed. The Shire soon became popular in the United States, and almost 4,000 Shires were imported between 1900 and 1918.

Are shire horses good for pulling?

Shire horses are good for riding and are frequently used in many equine activities such as pleasure riding, police work, dressage, and therapeutic riding. Many people think the Shire breed is limited to pulling heavy loads, and they would be mistaken. There’s actually a lot of activities this horse breed does, and pulling is just one.