In various categories of breeds their champions come to light, differing in their mass, speed and strength. Large breeds of horses began to be withdrawn in the Middle Ages to move heavy loads. Outstanding breed sizes exist in our time.
Breeds of the tallest horses
The weight of the tallest horses in the world reaches 1.5 tons with a height of more than 2 meters. Among these unique species stand out:
- Belgian heavy truck (weight can reach up to 1 ton at a height of 1.7 m). Despite its heavy weight, the horse surprises with its graceful and smooth movements.
- Arden. One of the oldest breeds is one of the largest horses in the world. This breed was bred in France. Historical facts say that it was on such horses that Napoleon’s troops moved during the First World War.
- Shire. This breed has spread throughout the UK and is considered the tallest horse in the world. These horses are distinguished by their slowness, massiveness, their height reaches two meters. This breed was used by knights in the Middle Ages - they made long military campaigns. Further, representatives of the Shire breed were distributed in agriculture as labor when plowing land.
- Percheron. It is considered the most elegant thoroughbred horse among all heavy trucks. Their height reaches 1 meter 60 cm.
The Russian breed of the big horse was also bred, it is called the Soviet heavy truck. This breed is characterized by more active mobility with an average body weight of 760 kg and a height of 1.60 m.
Record holder Samson Mammoth
They are accustomed to consider the largest thoroughbred horse to be Samson, nicknamed Mammoth. He was born in 1846 in England and soon became famous thanks to its impressive size. It belongs to the Shire breed and is the tallest horse in the world. His height is 2 meters 20 cm, and weight - 1520 kg, according to the latest information. At the moment, the horse that could outgrow this giant is unknown.
In the world there are more than a hundred heavy trucks, but Samson Mammoth is the absolute record holder to this day. It is said that the stallion had a gentle character and a very beautiful bewitching appearance in a cream color.
Thus, the representative of the Shire breed (samson), nicknamed Mammoth, became known throughout the world. However, there is another stallion from the same breed that has reached about the same size, his nickname is Remington. With a height of 2 meters 10 cm at some period, he was also called the tallest horse in the world.
Big jake
Another Shire horse that struck everyone with its mighty body. By the age of ten, a gelding named Big Jake had grown to 2 meters 19 cm. Its weight was 2600 kg. Thanks to such an indicator of representatives, the Shire breed was entered in the Guinness Book of Records. Several giants of this breed are considered the highest horses in the world and rightfully deserve this title.
Big Jake performed in show programs for the Ronald McDonald House Foundation under the direction of his master Jerry Gilbert. Seeing Big Jake, it was impossible to restrain surprise at its size. The owner describes the character of his pet is very friendly and playful. The favorite pastime of Jerry Gilbert and his pet is to participate in various charity events, so the giant Jake is not sitting idle.
Percheron Morocco
The stallion of Morocco was a representative of the Percheron breed. His height was recorded as 115 cm, and weight 1285 kg, which is also impressive. This breed was used for military purposes.
Interesting facts about this breed are given out by archaeologists who claim that during the ice age large species of horses lived, reminiscent of the modern breed Percheron. It is believed that it was bred in ancient times in the European province of Persh. Large horses lived there.
In the 18th century they began to cross with Arabian stallions, as a result of which the modern breed Percheron appeared. These horses are appreciated for their ability to adapt to different conditions and the ability to maintain the necessary speed with serious loads.
Cricket Cracker and Duke
Cricket Cracker also belongs to the giant breed of Shire horses. This representative has an unusual story of popularity. From a young age, he began to be shown on television, so Cricket Cracker is also recognized as one of the tallest horses in the world. His height is close to 2 meters, and weighs 1.2 tons. Such a large horse eats 2 haystacks, several kilograms of carrots and drinks 130 liters of water per day.
The English stallion was the next contender for entering the record book, but, unfortunately, passed away in 2007. However, many have remembered this giant as a real star of television screens.
The stallion Duke from Britain wagged up to 2 meters 7 cm, his height does not cease to increase. Some experts predict that he is able to outgrow the famous Samson of Mammoth. The owner of the British giant claims that her horse has grown to such a size thanks to a special variety of apples and herbal infusion. By nature, the big Duke is shy and cautious, and the main fear for him is small mice. But he boasts an excellent appetite. In one day, on average, he devours 8 kg of grain and hay, 100 liters of water and 20 liters of infusion.
Brooklyn supreme and digger
The Belgian record holder Brooklyn was only slightly behind the main giant nicknamed Mammoth. The stallion lived in Belgium, was also known as the largest horse. Over his 20 years of life, he reached 1.42 tons by weight and grew to 1.98 m. A 310 cm chest girth was added to his distinctive characteristics. Brooklyn Suprim horse is considered the heaviest in the world, only one mass of his horseshoes was a little over 13 kg He was proudly presented to the general public, shown at fairs.
Remembering Brooklyn Suprim, one should not forget about the second prominent giant Digger, who at one time was also popular. When the stallion was only 4 years old, his owner turned to a special rehabilitation center for horses complaining that the horse was experiencing joint problems due to growth. Then, with a growth of 191 cm and a weight of 1.2 tons, he did not stop growing.
In addition, the Digger stallion was accepted into the Royal Horse Regiment. In 2012, the owner decided to return Digger to the Scottish Highlands.