Shire horse. Shire draft horse breed (Shire). Appearance of stallions

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

The English breed of Shire horses originates from knightly war 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 weight of the animals is not the same. It can be either a fat horse, suitable for leisurely riding, or a large heavy truck, capable of pulling a plow behind it. Shire horses differ from others not only in their height, but also in their appearance.

The English draft horse is the tallest horse in the world

Stallions come in the following colors:

• bay;
• blacks;
• gray.

Slight white spots are allowed. The height of purebred stallions cannot be lower than 173 cm, and the lower limit of permissible weight is 900 kg. Particular attention is paid to the legs. The metacarpus of heavy draft horses is rounded and measures at least 25 cm in girth. This part of the leg is used to judge the overall development of the animal’s locomotor system.

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

• bay;
• blacks;
• gray;
• roan.

It is permissible for mares to cross both the highest and lowest limits of height, 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-sized ears and a nose with a slight hump. A draft horse, by definition, must have a strong 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 carpal joints. Friezes completely hide large hooves. The shire's mane is usually braided, decorated with ribbons, or beautifully trimmed.

However, the largest breed of horses in the world also has its own internal types. Various horse breeders raise draft horses of different sizes and weights. A representative of the breed is not always a fat horse of enormous dimensions. Some shires are characterized by a powerful exterior, while others have a lean build.

Shire horse (video)

Gallery: Shire horse breed (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 breed of draft horses. The English kings William I and Henry II were also interested in breeding and crossing horses. It was the soldiers of William I who brought the “great horse of the Middle Ages” to England. Such horses could withstand the weight of a knight in armor, for which they were highly valued at that time.

By order of Henry II, a large Belgian heavy truck came to England, becoming another ancestor of the Shires. During the time of Henry VIII, horse breeders were prohibited from breeding draft horses shorter than 150 cm in height. 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 that horse breeders increase the number of heavy draft horses. In addition, the rules for crossing horses were tightened. Now the breeder who allowed a representative with short stature to breed was obliged to pay a fine. The export and import of horses was 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 compiled detailed characteristics of the breed and issued a set of rules for breeding horses. From that moment on, the strongest horses became regular participants in prestigious exhibitions.

It is interesting that the name of the heavy trucks was not immediately decided. 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 “shire”, although this word was already used by Henry VIII to refer to heavy horses.

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

The Shires hold the height and weight records. Even medium-sized stallions amaze with their power. This is not only the largest horse in the world, but also the fattest. He also has no equal in strength. The stallion Mammoth in 1846 set an 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 brought the breed to the brink of survival. There are fewer and fewer Shires, so every purebred representative of the breed is highly valued. Breeders try to preserve the stock of legendary horses, carefully monitoring the fate of each foal.

Shire horse breed (video)

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A horse is an animal that man has tamed since ancient times in order to make his life easier. Experts say that humans domesticated this animal more than 6,000 years ago. For many centuries, the horse has regularly served people in various types of activities: on the farm, in the military industry, and also as transport.

The image of a horse has found its application in art. Some species can only be seen in ancient paintings.

Over the centuries, people have bred new breeds of horses that perform strictly defined tasks. Characteristics began to be grouped not only according to climate, but also according to physiological data.

The development of technological progress has forced many species of horses will disappear. But caring livestock breeders try to prevent such phenomena and work on breeding horse breeds.

Heavy draft horses are considered the largest horses in the world. These include the Shire (English heavy truck). Representatives of the breed reach two meters at the withers. These can be fat horses or hardy heavy draft horses. However, this is not always the fattest horse, but often the hardest. The Shire is considered the largest horse breed.

Historical data

The first reports of strong, powerful horses date back to the 11th century. To breed a generation of hardy horses, local representatives were crossed with Friesians and Flanders. The Belgian draft horse played a significant role in the appearance of the Shire.

The authorities issued decrees not allowing the breeding of breeds with a height of less than 154 cm. To increase height, they recommended shires cross with others large equestrian representatives. For example, with the Belgian ones. However, Belgian breeds are slightly inferior to Shires in height and weight.

Queen Elizabeth was also interested in increasing the number of draft horses in the 16th century. Strict control was carried out over the optimal parameters of the breed.

In 1878, information appeared about the founder of the breed, nicknamed the Blind Horse. Whether the animal was truly blind is no longer known today. At the same time, a Shire breeding society was formed, breed parameters were developed, and the Shire began to participate in exhibitions.

Name "shire" didn't appear right away. At first the breed was called the “great horse”. Then the horses were called Old English. In the 18th century, the name “shire” was established.

Gallery: English draft horse or shire (25 photos)

External characteristics

Horses of this breed come in three colors:

• blacks;
• bay;
• gray.

Color may have a few white spots.

The height of stallions is from 173 cm at the withers and above. Weight - from 900 kg. Chest - from 215 cm. Forward metacarpus - from 25 cm. The metacarpus has a round shape, the tendons can be felt.

Mares, in addition to the colors mentioned above, can be roan. There may be more white spots than on a stallion. The mare's height is from 163 cm.

Exterior Features

The Shire horse breed also has other external features. Its representatives have a wide head and a massive forehead. The ears are medium size. The neck is short, the back is strong, and the shoulders are muscular. The croup is wide, the tail is set high.

Shires are fluffy flowing mane. It can be of different lengths. Owners often decorate their pets with beautiful ribbons or give them original haircuts. The appearance of the mane is very important in any competition. A mandatory feature of the breed is the presence of friezes on the legs, which have a silky thick structure.

Shire breeds have several divisions within their breed:

• Yorkshire shires more resilient than others and have a drier build;
• Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have fluffier friezes.

Export

Shire bred well in Europe. In the 19th century, it appeared in America, where it competed with local heavy trucks - Percherons. Later, English draft horses began to be bred by American breeders, and in more than in Europe.

Horses were imported to Russia to improve local breeds, but they failed to displace Russian heavy horses.

Record breakers

The English draft horse is the largest horse in the world. The breed rightfully occupies the highest positions in terms of height and weight. The breed record holder is a stallion named Mammoth from Bedforshire, who had a height of 219 cm and a weight of 1520 kg. The mammoth is considered the largest horse in the world.

The largest horses are also known: the stallions Lincoln with a weight of 1345 kg and Malchess with a weight of 1509 kg.

Nowadays, the largest horse in Europe is Cracker with a height of 198 cm and a weight of more than 1200 kg. The largest horse in the world today is a stallion from Australia named Noddy with a height of 205 cm. Noddy is also called the tallest horse in the world.

Care

The features of caring for a Shire differ little from those for other breeds. The animal is large in size and needs a lot of food. Shire needs up to 17 kg of hay and grass per day. Record holders consume more than 25 kg of feed per day.

Concentrated fertilizers are undesirable; growth supplements are not used. You can give cake and grass flour, about 7 kg per day. Carrots, beets, and apples are added to the diet. Don't forget about clean water.

Mane and tail care is required, as well as friezes. Horse hair is washed with special shampoos and combed. To prevent the mane from getting tangled, it is braided.

It is important to keep the stall clean and the bedding dry. If there is insufficient dryness, the animal may suffer from biting midges, a special form of dermatitis. To prevent disease, the legs of heavy trucks are sprinkled with sawdust after washing and drying.

It is important for a horse to lead an active lifestyle with daily walks.

Character

Shires are surprisingly flexible animals. The breed is hardy and hardworking. It is distinguished by loyalty and devotion to its owner. Horse riders note that the breed requires a strong and confident rider.

Shires are excellent at carrying loads, but it is difficult to get them to gallop. However, galloping for a draft dog can be a dangerous activity, and the owner should not take risks with this kind of activity.

Shire breeding

Today, the number of heavy trucks has decreased. The breeding process is not an easy job. All Shire offspring are registered in the stud book with assigned categories. Only purebred mares can participate in the selection.

Shires delight with their appearance and excellent characteristics. The price of horses is comparable to elite ones. In Russia, an English heavy truck sells for a million rubles.

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Among the horses there are their own record holders for height. It is a well-known fact that the smallest in the equine family are ponies. However, few people know about its largest representatives. These giants are slightly smaller than the Asian elephant. Some individuals grow up to 2 m or more, and their weight reaches 1 ton. The given fact applies to the Shire breed. Horses of this variety have lost their popularity these days, but are still considered one of the most beautiful on the planet.

A highly specialized variety obtained by selective breeding by crossing English working mares with Dutch stallions. The process of its creation is connected with the history of England. The word "shire" comes from the English "shire", which translates as "county". This name was invented by Henry VIII. Previously, heavyweights were called Coach, Great, Old English Black, English Harness, War and Lincolnshire Giants.

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

Breed development milestones:

1. The descendants of the Shires are considered to be the medieval military Great Horse, later renamed English Black.
2. In the 12th century. Henry II ordered the crossing of shires with Flemish horses. Selection lasted several centuries.
3. Henry VIII issued a decree not allowing the breeding of heavyweights whose height was less than 154 cm. Failure to comply with this rule was punishable at the legislative level.
4. Horse breeder R. Bakeville updated the gene pool of the Shires with Friesian blood. This was a turning point in the improvement of the variety. Despite their heaviness, the shires gained maneuverability.

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

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

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

Current state of the breed

The shires owe their return from disgrace by the establishment of substantial monetary rewards for stallions. This provoked an outbreak of breeding.

One of the popular trends in England is the crossing of Shires with Thoroughbreds, which makes it possible to obtain good draft horses. The most sought-after horses are those with white spots on their limbs.

Special purpose

Initially, this variety was used for military purposes. The massive animals were able to support the body weight of a knight in armor. They then participated in agricultural activities. After the improvement of the road surface, they became in demand for the transportation of stagecoaches. In the 19th century were the main tool of labor on the docks and railways.

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

Today, shires are used in the following events:

1. Holiday celebrations.
2. Beer festivals
3. Plowing competitions.
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 clearing of forest plantings. With the help of heavy weights you can pull out large trees in places that are difficult for a tractor to reach. In addition, in remote areas it is considered more profitable to keep a horse than specialized equipment.

Appearance

Within the variety, several types are known. Representatives of the Yorkshire style are distinguished by their dry texture. Horses from Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have expressive brushes on their limbs and are more bony.

Characteristics of the suit

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

Mares may take a little liberties with regard to the purity of the breed. In addition to the main ones, a roan color is allowed. The number of marks is also not subject to strict regulation.

Exterior Features

Animals of this species are distinguished by large bones, a wide sternum and powerful limbs. This makes them strong and resilient. Horses have an excellent appetite and hold their body well.

Table 1. Characteristics

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

Some animals grow up to 2 meters or more

Breed standards

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

• height at the withers of a stallion - from 173, of a mare - from 163 cm;
• body weight - from 900 kg;
• sternum girth - from 215 cm;
• 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 bones. In heavy trucks, a predominantly rounded shape is found without clearly defined tendon outlines.

When assessing a horse, a lot of attention is paid to the characteristics of the limbs. The pelvic bones should be straight and the distal areas covered with brushes. Shires have long and strong legs with lush friezes on the hock and carpal joints. The hooves are large, allowing them to support the weight of the horse.

Features of the course

This parameter depends on body weight and size. Some individuals prefer a measured step. The more mobile ones can easily handle the cart. Lynx is not typical for this breed and is a deviation from the standards.

The character of the shires

Horses have a balanced and calm disposition.

According to reviews from breeders, representatives of this breed are easy to manage and obedient. This quality has made them sought after for improving "unruly" varieties.

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

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Pets have many positive qualities, including the following:

• high load capacity;
• calm temperament;
• hard work;
• good learning ability;
• unpretentiousness in content;
• friendliness.

Among the disadvantages, farmers highlight a large appetite. Over the course of a day, one animal eats almost 2 times more than representatives of other breeds.

In addition, minor disadvantages include the following characteristics:

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

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

By “friesity” we mean a thick and large mane, tail, as well as characteristic brushes on the lower parts of the limbs. These signs are found in Friesian horses. When crossed, they partially migrated to the Shires.

The placement, hygiene rules and feeding of this species are practically no different from the maintenance of other heavyweights. Corrections should be made in terms of feed consumption and room arrangement based on high animal growth rates.

Arrangement of the stables

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

There are a number of requirements for organizing a stable:

1. Room. A good option would be a box with a paddock - an adjacent corral.
2. Options. The large dimensions of the shires dictate the corresponding dimensions of the room. The optimal length and width is 5x5 m, height is 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 because horses can chew the 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 injuries. Considering the weight of the horses, it is necessary to make it durable. Expanded clay is suitable for these purposes. This material is durable and non-slip. You need to lay a thick layer of sawdust on the floor.

1. Doors. The best option for stalls are sliding doors with 2 or 3 galvanized bolts.
2. Additional devices. Automatic drinking bowls, feeders and nurseries should be made of natural materials. Any toxic impurities are harmful to the body of heavyweights. Since Shires are tall animals, this “equipment” must be installed higher than for other types of horses.
3. Ventilation. Each stall should be equipped with a ventilation hole.

1. Lighting. It is advisable to maintain it at a level of 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 should be many windows in the room.
2. Temperature conditions. The optimal temperature is from 13 to 15°C. It is cool in summer and warm in winter.
3. Humidity. The maximum acceptable threshold is 60%. Dampness and drafts must be avoided.

Shires are considered an unpretentious breed. They cope well with both cold and heat.

Cleaning and hygiene

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

1. Once a week, a thorough wash is necessary using a brush and special shampoo for horses.
2. Friezes are cleaned after each contamination.
3. Swimming in extreme heat is not recommended.
4. After cleaning, the wool is blotted with a woolen rag or dried in the sun.
5. To preserve the tail and mane, braids are made.

To prevent woodlice, limbs and hooves are carefully cleaned of dirt and sprinkled with sawdust. After 2 hours they are removed.

Video - Horse care

Feeding technology

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

The main difference between the Shire diet is that there is no need to use concentrates and nutritional supplements to accelerate growth.

1. Fresh drinking water should always be readily available.
2. The optimal food is grass, grass meal, hay and vegetables.
3. A horse eats from 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 norm is 7 kg per day.
5. Horses love carrots, apples and fodder beets. It is useful to enrich your diet with cabbage.
6. Animals must always have table salt available.
7. Oats and hay are placed in different containers. Feeding frequency - 5 times a day. The optimal dosage is 12 kg of hay and 10 kg of grain for every 500 kg of animal.

1. It is necessary to smoothly transition from feeding fresh grass to hay. Otherwise, the animal’s digestive system will not have time to produce the enzymes necessary for its digestion. This can lead to diarrhea.
2. After giving birth, the female should not be overfed. Oats should be excluded from the diet for several days. Before each meal, oatmeal is given, which has a positive effect on the production and quality of milk.

Ten weeks after birth, the foal is gradually weaned off its mother's milk. This process begins by feeding chopped oats and oatmeal.

These days, Shires are not a popular breed. In Europe, for example, there are only a few hundred representatives of this breed. However, breeding work on this variety continues and perhaps in the near future this variety will again become relevant.

Hardy, the tallest and most beautiful, one of the oldest on the planet, descendants of horses on which Roman soldiers proudly sat - this is all about the Shire horse breed, which has long become popular in different parts of the globe.

As you can see in photo 1, these are truly the strongest, most powerful and heaviest horses. “What do these amazing animals look like, when did they appear and how are horses used these days?”: we will try to find answers to these and other questions together with you.

History of the origin of Shire horses

The history of the creation and use of horses is inextricably linked with the history of England, but its beginning is shrouded in the darkness of centuries. It is only known that the Shire, the oldest heavy draft breed, appeared thanks to the multi-stage work of English breeders, crossing local mares with stallions brought from Holland. They got their name from the English “shire”, which means county. This is how horses began to be called with the light hand of Henry VIII.

Pictures that have survived to this day, dating back to the 15th century (photo 2), confirm the fact that horses were originally used for military purposes. Although, on this score, there is also no consensus. Some argue that horses were excellent living tanks, and some, on the contrary, find evidence that the shires even then pulled carts and plows over potholes and bumpy roads and the land of local farmers. When the battles were left behind, thanks to their strength, massiveness and endurance, Shire horses became indispensable on farms, doing hard work transporting goods, working in the fields (photo 3), etc. How could one not admire a horse that could drag a load weighing three and a half tons along broken roads covered with mud and potholes.

Over time, Shire horses were crossed with Friesians, as a result of which they became lighter, more flexible, faster and more agile, although their dimensions remained the same.

In the 17th century, the nickname “English crow” firmly stuck to the shires, since the black color became especially widespread in those years.

In the 19th century, these docile and large heavy trucks became especially popular, and the attention and interest of foreign specialists grew in them. Horses worked not only in the army or in farmers' fields, but also transported goods in British ports, carried passengers on stagecoaches and flawlessly performed any tasks assigned to them.

There are many record holders among the Shire horses. For example, Samson, the horse shown in photo 2 and named after the biblical character, was more than two meters tall. And the Australian stallion Nobby was more than two meters tall and weighed more than a ton, so many compared him to an all-terrain vehicle.

With the beginning of technical progress, the need for the use of horses of this breed has noticeably decreased, and their numbers became smaller and smaller every year. Perhaps they would have disappeared forever if not for the dedicated horse breeders who tried to save this species from extinction at any cost. Enthusiasts kept the breeding horses, and soon public interest in them grew again. Today, shires are again popular and in demand; there are about a thousand of them on farms in England, and the same number abroad.

Nowadays, representatives of the Shire breed are used by brewers in costume shows on English streets as live advertising, they participate in musical shows, colorful performances, compete in plowing speed (photo 3), compete in strength, etc. Just one shire show, held in Petersboro, attracts more than fifteen thousand of their fans every year. People come here from all over the world to admire the elegance and grace of these amazingly beautiful animals. When these giants come out, sleek, well-groomed, with colorful bright ribbons woven into their mane or tail, I want to believe that the British will try to do everything to ensure that this breed does not soon disappear from the face of the Earth.

Appearance of Shire horses

The shires became as we see them today only two to three hundred years ago. Photo 4 on the right shows that representatives of the breed differ not only in color, but also in other external characteristics. Some are so large that they can only walk at a calm, measured pace. Others are agile and dexterous, so they can quickly cope with a cart, plow, cart or perform other tasks.

As shown in photo 5, they have a proportional body, high, powerful legs, large bones, and a wide chest, so they are strong and resilient. Horses have good health, excellent appetite, they are mobile and active.

Young yearling mares look great. They are fit, have a large neck, high, powerful legs, a high croup and a flat back.

The photo on the right shows heavy draft horses - beauties, they can be easily distinguished by the characteristic bald spot on the head and white markings on the legs, most often on the hind legs. Their “white stockings” - friezes, do not allow them to be confused even with the largest relatives. The demand for horses with such markings on the modern market has increased markedly in recent years.

Character of Shire horses

The breed is distinguished by its balanced character, patience, endurance and flexibility. It is known that children love Shire horses; they are not afraid to come close to the animals, and they raise their heads towards them, as if welcoming them.

Animals have a calm temperament, so they are still used as breeding material to produce obedient and sociable offspring.

Interesting Facts:

• Crossbreeding with Shire males is not an easy task. The mare must be a match for a large and tall stallion; if this is not taken into account, you can get offspring with unsatisfactory body proportions and low performance indicators;
• Brought to Russia in the last century, Shire draft horses were used to create a new breed of horses - the Vladimir draft horses (photo 6);
• They require three times more food per day than representatives of other breeds, but despite the costs of their maintenance, they remain popular and in demand. The most important thing is that there is enough grass and dry hay for them, and that the stable is light, warm and spacious. In addition, Shires, like representatives of other breeds, love care, affection and attention.

Today, horses are bred and continue to be crossed to produce draft breeds in European countries (France, Germany, Belgium, etc.), as well as in Canada, New Zealand and the USA. You can get acquainted with them at exhibitions on various topics, visiting specialized farms or breeding farms of existing Horse Breeders Associations. One of the largest is the American Shire Association, officially registered back in May 1885.

Interest in them was revived after a special bonus was approved for stallions. By visiting the annual March exhibition you can witness its presentation. This is an unforgettable holiday for horse lovers, because in just one day the amount of more than 35 thousand pounds sterling is given out.