![]() When coal became a major energy source, many households employed Shire horses to pull large coal wagons across the country roads. Pulling carts of ale from breweries to serving houses, pulling wagons, and tilling the fields were some of the traditional uses for these horses. You can check your horse for lice while you brush them.ĭraft horse breeds such as the Shire, Percheron, Belgian, and Clydesdale are ideal for pulling, plowing, and farm labor.Īn easygoing and gentle demeanor - typical of the Shire horse personality - are primary reasons for the popularity of this breed as a true workhorse. Remove the sweat off them using a brush, while you can use a hoof pick to clean their hooves. You may sometimes need a high stool to reach certain parts of your horse.Īvoid leaving their legs and feet muddy for too long. It’s also vital to dry the feathering completely after a bath, as otherwise, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. The feathering requires regular brushing and cleaning to prevent irritation and infection. That’s why these horses need special care for their feet. Keep in mind, when it comes to horses, a hungry one is a good sign.Ī distinct feature of the Shire horse is the feathering - long strands of hair on their lower legs and their hooves. Place a lump of rock salt or a mineral block for licking and give them clean water throughout the day. So make sure any chaff you feed them is damp before you set it in front of your horse. A high percentage of their diet should consist of roughage and hay and include more hay during winters.Īvoid feeding them foods that are dusty as it tends to stick to their noses and irritate them. They enjoy grain chaff, regardless of the type of grain, and pulped roots like mangold. ![]() Shire horse diet can include oat straw, bran, and carrots. Horses typically lean hard on fences when grazing and also use them as scratching surfaces. Build fences at least four to six feet high and avoid using sheep netting or barbed wire for creating boundaries as this could harm your horse. Although draft horses can live outdoors all through the year, it’s a good idea to build them a shelter. If you’re not dependent on open land where your horses can graze, roughly one-fourth of an acre per horse should be enough. You’ll need around two to three acres of grazing land per horse if you’re dependent on pasturing your horses for grazing. Solitary Shire horses often tend to look bored with their heads down - a sure sign that they don’t enjoy the lack of company. Shire horses tend to thrive when they’re in the company of other horses, which brings out the playful nature in them. The average domesticated Shire horse lifespan is anywhere between 25 to 30 years, but with proper care, they can live up to the age of 35. Female horses sometimes have roan-colored coats, where the body hair is a mix of white and colored hair, while the head, tail, mane, and lower legs are colored. These horses are typically brown, black, bay (where the horse’s body is reddish-brown or brown, while the mane, tail, ear edges, and lower leg are black), and gray. Sampson, a Shire horse, who grew up to 21.2 hands (85 inches) tall and weighed over 3,000 pounds, remains the tallest and heaviest of all horses to date. A fully grown stallion can weigh more than 2,000 pounds. Shire horse sizes are the largest among all British draft horses and can stand up to roughly 17.2 hands tall (69 inches). ![]() Over time, these horses were made more sturdy and capable by breeding them with other breeds such as the north German Flemish horses (which also have leg feathering) and the horses of the Flanders. The Great Horse got its name due to its strength, courage, and gentle behavior during difficult times. The British Great Horse, which was used in battle in medieval times is widely considered an ancestor of the Shire horse. Today, these counties together are called the Midlands. Shire horses are one of the oldest breeds of draft horses - large, heavy breeds of horses defined by their tall stature (more than 16 hands high), considerable body size (over 1400 pounds), and muscular build.Īlthough popular all over England, the counties of Derby, Cambridge, Norfolk, Nottingham, Leicester, and Huntington are commonly considered some of the regions of Shire horse origin. Shire horses are magnificent, tall, gentle, noble, and strong horses bred in England. This article explains some of the characteristics of the Shire horse and how to care for them. These big beasts have a gentle and friendly nature and are commonly found in several parts of England and other regions of the world. Shire horses are a type of draft horse known for their large size and regal appearance, as well as the famous Shire horse temperament.
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