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Shire Horse Breed
Country of Origin:
The Shire horse originated in England.
Blood Type:
The Shire horse is in the coldblood group.
History:
The Shire descends from the medieval warhorse known as the Great Horse
which was later crossed with imported Flanders and Friesian horses. In
the 19th century, the first stud book was published and in
1878 the Old English Cart Horse Society was formed which became called
the Shire Horse Society in 1878. The Shire was popular until World War II
and then declined because of mechanization.
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Height: The
Shire horse is usually over 17HH.
Colors: The
Shire is black, brown, gray, or bay.
Description:
The Shire horse usually has an
attractive head with a roman nose; honest, intelligent, kind eyes; alert
ears; longish, arched neck; shoulders wide enough to support a collar and
a broad chest; a short back, big-barreled, and powerful hindquarters; and
long legs with feathers.
Temperament:
The Shire horse is docile and gentle
which makes them easy to handle despite their size. They are known as
gentle giants with great strength, stamina, and soundness.
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Uses: Shires originally were
used to plough the land, haul timber, pull farm wagons, railway vans,
brewer’s drays, and coal carts.
Today the breweries use the Shire horses throughout England for
demonstration and shows.
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