Now there are an incredible number of horse breeds: sports horses, decorative and working horses. Now it’s difficult to say which type of breed has great practical meaning in the modern world, but several thousand years ago, it all started with workhorses - heavy trucks.
The animals were not very fast, but were capable of transporting huge loads over long distances or were under the saddle of a rider in steel armor. A striking example of heavy draft horses is the Shire breed horse.
Origin story
The Shire breed was created in the mid-18th century, although its origins are much older. The breeding society was founded in 1876 and the first stud book was published in 1878.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were many Shires, and many other breeds were exported to the United States. With the increasing mechanization of agriculture and transportation, the demand for heavy horses quickly declined, and by the 1960s their numbers had dropped from a million or more to just a few thousand.
In the 1970s, numbers began to increase again, but are still considered an endangered breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
The term "shire horse" was first used in the mid-17th century, and incomplete records began to appear in the late 18th century. "Packington's Blind Horse of Leicestershire" is one of the most famous horses of the era, with direct descendants recorded from 1770 to 1832.
This horse is commonly referred to as the main stallion of the Shire breed, which was developed between 1755 and 1770. In the 19th century, the Shire horse was widely used as a harness for transporting goods from the docks through towns and villages. Difficult roads created a demand for large horses with well-developed muscles.
The English Charter Horse Society was formed in 1878 and changed its name to the Shire Horse Society in 1884.
The society published a studbook, the first edition in 1878 containing 2,381 stallions and records going back to 1770. Between 1901 and 1914 the Society registered 5,000 shires annually.
The first Shire breed was imported to the United States in 1853, and more horses were introduced in the 1880s. The American Shire Horse Association was founded in 1885 to register and promote the breed.
The shire quickly became popular in the United States, and nearly 4,000 shires were imported between 1900 and 1918. Between 1909 and 1911, approximately 6,700 Shire breeds were registered with the American Association.
During World War II, increased mechanization and strict regulations for purchasing livestock feed reduced the need and ability to keep draft horses.
Thousands of Shire horses were slaughtered and several large stud farms were closed. In the 1950s and 1960s the breed's numbers fell to their lowest levels and in 1955 fewer than 100 horses were shown at the annual British Spring Show.
In the 1970s, the breed began to recover due to increased public interest. Breed societies were established in the USA, Canada, Holland, France and Germany, and the first World Congress of Shire Horses was held in Peterborough in 1996. The first artificial insemination in the breed using frozen semen was carried out in 1997 on several Australian mares.
Between the 1920s and 1930s and today, the Shire has changed its shape. The Clydesdale was used for crossbreeding in the 1950s and 1960s, which changed the conformation of the Shire breed and most noticeably changed the shank habit from a coarse coat to a silkier one.
At its peak, the population of the Shire was over a million people. By the 1950s and 1960s their numbers had dropped to a few thousand.
In the United States, the Shire horse population declined significantly in the early 20th century and continued to decline in the 1940s and 1950s. From 1950 to 1959, only 25 horses were registered in the United States. However, the number of horses began to increase, and by 1985 there were 121 horses registered in the United States.
The National Spring Shire Show continues to be held annually and is the largest Shire show in the UK.
The American Livestock Conservancy currently considers the Shire breed population to be at a "critical" level, meaning the breed's global population is estimated to be less than 2,000 head, with fewer than 200 head being registered in the United States per year.
The British Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists the breed as 'endangered', meaning its population size is less than 1,500. The Equus Survival Trust considers the breed "vulnerable", meaning there are currently between 500 and 1,500 mature active broodmares.
Description of the breed
The Shire breed is classified as a heavy horse breed. Its origin goes back to medieval England, where such horses were used not only for transporting heavy loads, but also for military purposes, since knights in armor weighed a lot, and not every animal could withstand such a load for a long time.
The new breed was crossed with local Flemish and Friesian horses. For several hundred years, breeders have worked to achieve their goals, and the results have exceeded all expectations.
The standard currently includes three different colors: sorrel, black and grey. Small white spots and white stockings on the legs are allowed.
The main difference between Shire horses is their size - the stallion must be 173 cm tall, weigh 900 kg, chest diameter 215 cm, pastern diameter 25 cm.
These are minimum values; on average, horses exceed them. The build is proportional, the chest, back and croup are wide. The largest registered horse is the stallion Samson (Mammoth), with a height at the withers of 2.19 m and a weight of 1520 kg.
The difference from ordinary horses is visible, especially when a person stands next to them. The photograph of the shire shows that these horses are much larger than the animals we are used to seeing.
The part of the leg called the metacarpal bone has a specific meaning and indicates the structure of tendons and ligaments. This part of the foot varies from breed to breed, with heavyweight horses having a rounded heel. The tufts (hair on the undersides of the legs) of this breed are thick and long.
The head is large, with a wide forehead, small ears, and a short neck. There is a hook on the nose. The body is muscular, the legs are strong and powerful, the hooves are large. The tail is raised high.
His mane is long and fluffy. Owners enhance its natural beauty by braiding it in various ways and weaving colorful ribbons into it.
Within the breed there are also slight differences in the appearance of horses depending on their place of origin. Yorkshire horses are slimmer and more resilient. Cambridge horses are more bony and have longer friezes on their legs.
Character
The Shir is a calm horse, easy to train, and able to quickly establish contact with its owner. This is a well-balanced breed, and three-year-old foals and mares are easy to harness and learn all the necessary skills within a few weeks.
Due to their flexible nature, they are often used to teach children and adults how to ride, as they do not wobble and are safe enough for the most insecure riders.
Magnificent shires with a heroic physique are the basis of modern horse breeding.
They are used as breeding stock to improve character, strength and endurance. Shiras become attached to their owners, are very affectionate and require attention.
In CIS countries
Despite its popularity in Europe and America, in the CIS countries they are not yet particularly involved in growing Shires. The fact is that taxes in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus for farmers are high, and therefore raising a breed of horse specifically for decorative purposes (despite the fact that the Shire is a heavy truck, all the work in the modern world is done by machinery, not horses) – not profitable and even unprofitable. Therefore, among domestic breeders it is common to find 3-5 representatives of this breed, just for show.
These are the mighty and strong Shires, which have become the standard of heavy-duty breeds and “material” for the creation of other working horses. Among other things, it is worth mentioning a few more interesting facts about these horses.
- Shire first appeared on Russian territory in the 19th century. Horses did not last long in their “pure form”; they began to be crossed with local breeds to strengthen the immune system. This is how the Vladimir heavy trucks appeared.
- The diet of representatives of the breed is 3 diets for sports horses. In terms of content, Shire is 3 Akhal-Teke horses.
For crossing and breeding of Shires, piece fertilization is used, since the difference in height and heavy weight of the stallion can harm the mare. At the beginning of their journey, these horses were the most productive working breed in the world, but now, due to the pointlessness of using manpower, Shires have become decorative horses.
Price
You can buy an English heavy Shire horse, but you need to be prepared for the fact that the price of an adult horse is quite high, up to 1.5 million rubles. You can buy a foal for 300 thousand.
However, the final price will depend on many factors. First of all, age and gender influence the price.
Of course, the most expensive horses are healthy ones, with appropriate pedigree certificates and confirmation from a veterinarian that the animal is healthy, has received vaccinations on time, etc.
The awards and achievements of the animal at various exhibitions and competitions are important. They also value appearance. They pay attention to the seller and his reputation. And, of course, if the animal is far away, its delivery is also paid for by the future owner.
Reviews
According to horse breeders, the advantages of Shire horses include the following qualities:
- Endurance, ability to carry heavy loads;
- Horses are hard workers;
- Calm character, kindness;
- low operating costs;
- easy to feed.
- They quickly and easily learn various commands;
Shire horses have only one drawback - they eat a lot (in one day they eat 1.5-2 times more feed than horses of other breeds), although some do not call this a drawback.
Breeding
When breeding this breed, not only the appearance of the Shire horse is important, but also the choice of the mare according to its pattern. She must be proportional, the same as a man, only smaller in all respects.
The pedigree book of this breed was closed for some time, but now it has been renewed and built on a different principle. The breeding process is very strict, to be sure of the foal's name, a DNA test is carried out.
All animals are entered in the herd book, but in different sections. Newborn foals from a purebred stallion and an unregistered mare are classified as Category A.
This mare is covered by a purebred stallion, their offspring are already classified as “B”. If females appear again in the offspring, they are again covered by a registered stallion, and their offspring are considered purebred.
On average, horses live 20-35 years, but much depends on the conditions of keeping and care.
Record holders
The Shires also have their favorites. Horses with characteristics that inspire delight. The largest horse in the Shire 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 the stallions Machless - 1509 kg, Lincoln - 1345 kg and John Bull - 1180 kg.
Despite such impressive figures, not a single animal is included in the Guinness Book of Records, since the veracity of the information cannot be confirmed, which cannot be said about the stallion - Mammoth. The horse's height was 219 cm at the withers. It is worth agreeing that he rightfully deserved his nickname. The weight of the animal was 1520 kg and this is an absolute record. To confirm this data, the book also contains a photo of this car.
Interesting fact! Shires are enormous in size, but their character says absolutely the opposite. Both stallions and mares are happy to ride those who want them, eat from their hands and are amenable to training.
Content
Despite its breeding status, the Shire breed is quite well adapted to various living conditions. They are not very picky eaters, but due to their large size they require space and comfort.
Even foals require spacious stalls, protected from drafts and dampness. An adult horse or equine needs room to maneuver.
When preparing the barn, care must be taken to maintain a sufficiently high internal temperature during the cold season.
The requirements for floors are also quite stringent. Materials must be strong enough to support the weight of the animal and must not be slippery, even when in contact with water or other liquids.
Most breeders choose expanded clay, which is strong enough and resistant to biological influences (mold or mildew).
The floor should be covered with a bedding of straw or sawdust, which should be fairly thick.
Each nest box should be equipped with drinkers and feeders made of non-toxic materials. They should be set at a height appropriate to the horse's height—stall owners are different from other horses.
When installing a counter, the lighting should provide a flow of 200 lux or more. It has been proven that with 16 hours of daylight, Shir is able to perform at its best and stay in shape even in winter.
Regular walks are an important part of maintaining the Shire. When driving, the correct choice of speed is very important - a slow or normal pace is optimal.
Feeding
Each owner decides for himself what to feed his animals. All horses can be fed concentrated feed, but hay and grass are essential.
Shiras, due to their large size, eat much more.
Heavy horses can eat 12 to 15 kilograms of hay or grass per day. They do not need concentrates, so they should not be given in large quantities. Supplements for growth are not needed at all.
As a nutritional supplement, it is best to include grass meal or cakes in your diet. In summer you can give from 5 to 7 kilograms of this food. Your pet will also enjoy fruits and vegetables such as beets, carrots and apples. Clean water should always be available to your pet.
Stable care
The stable containing the pen must be cleaned daily. The amount of manure and other pollutants this breed produces is quite large. The accumulation of dirt can negatively affect the horse's health.
When cleaning, part of the litter is removed and replaced, the walls are regularly cleaned, drinking bowls and feeders are cleared of sediment and plaque.
To maintain the attractive appearance of your Shire, it is enough to regularly clean its coat with a special shampoo applied to a damp sponge.
Lush tails and manes should be washed especially carefully. Dirty foot brushes should be cleaned regularly as soon as traces of dirt appear.
In summer, the frequency of bathing should be at least three times a week using detergents, and washing is recommended daily.
Wet wool should be dried with an absorbent cloth or left to dry naturally in the sun.
To prevent hoof growth, it is recommended to check the hooves frequently, clean them of dirt and cover them with sawdust as an absorbent material. Caring for a foal should be as thorough as caring for an adult animal.
Area and care of horses.
As mentioned above, caring for this breed of horse is no different from caring for other breeds.
But we should not forget that Shire horses have furry limbs, which must be kept dry to avoid the appearance of woodlice in the animal. After each walk with an animal, it is necessary to wash its hooves and legs, and then sprinkle them with sawdust. But the mane and tail of a horse do not require special care, they just sometimes need to be cleaned of dirt. The mane can be braided. This way the horse won't feel too hot when it's hot.
Animals need a large amount of food; during the day, a horse consumes about twelve kilograms of dry grass. Also in the daily diet should be carrots, cake, apples. The recommended daily intake is five to seven kilograms per day.
Breeding prospects
Horse breeding is a very expensive business. The price of a thoroughbred horse in Russia is more than 1 million rubles. The price is almost comparable to the cost of an elite horse.
It is necessary to invest a lot of money in the equestrian business (this includes the purchase of land, construction and equipment of stables, feed, proper care of horses).
But if you think carefully about your business, these expenses will be worth it in about 5 years or less. The Shire breed is highly valued on the market, so the sale of such animals is very profitable.
Shire horses are very susceptible to training. If you take care of proper preparation, you can, for example, open a riding school or use horses in hippotherapy.
Your pets can take part in various competitions (they are very hardy), as well as participate in the filming of commercials, which is very popular these days. They can try their hand at horse shows; their appearance will only benefit them.
Therefore, breeding Shire horses is profitable. The main thing in this business is a great love for your animals and a desire to take care of them. Shire horses are graceful, fearsome, strong and beautiful. Their breed characteristics are shown in the table below.
If horses are your passion, breed Shire horses. They will become not only a decoration for the farm, but also a good friend due to their calm nature and loyalty.
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 in size. The neck is short, the back is strong, and the shoulders are muscular. The croup is wide, the tail is set high. Shires have a 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 are hardier than others and have a drier build;
- Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have fluffier friezes.
Interesting Facts
The Shire has enormous gravity. It was used for agricultural work, to tow barges in the days when the canal system was the main means of transporting goods, and as a vehicle for road transport.
One traditional use was to pull brewing wagons delivering beer, and some are still in use today; others are used for forestry, riding and advertising.
Usage
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Shire horses were used in agriculture. They helped plow and transport building materials. Today these animals are of historical value for England. They participate in various processions and performances.
The breed is actively used by brewers. They load the cart with barrels of beer and drive around the city selling the goods. Shires are not bred in Russia, but in Europe there is a demand for them. Stallions often serve as improvers of other breeds.
The Shire breed is valued for its power and beauty. For Great Britain it is valuable from a historical point of view. Despite difficult times, when these horses almost disappeared from the face of the earth, they still survived. This is a credit to dedicated breeders.
