We can say that the domestication of a horse brought a person to a new level. It has become easier for him to cultivate the land, more profitable to engage in trade and more convenient to travel. Each direction of activity put forward its own requirements for the strength, endurance, speed and appearance of animals. So there were various breeds of horses.
A special niche was occupied by heavy horses. With their help, it was possible to move various cargoes over long distances. Powerful handsome men easily supported the weight of knights in military clothing. In addition, they were used as traction in production and construction. One of the most famous breeds of heavy trucks originates in medieval England - these are shire horses. Let's try to consider this breed in more detail.
How it all began
Experts in the history of England argue that the first mention of large and hardy horses, which became the founders of the new breed, found in 1066. Most likely, they came to the country during the era of the reign of William I, named the Conqueror. But exact information about this has not been preserved.
To breed a special breed of horses, local producers were crossed with Fladra and Frisian horses. This work was carried out for several centuries, and its result exceeded the wildest expectations.
Further development of the breed
Many rulers of England were interested in breeding horses. For example, King Henry II, who took the throne in 1154, ordered the import of large horses from Flanders to the territory of the country to improve the breed.
The government of Henry VIII owns the first state acts prohibiting the cultivation of heavy-duty breeds whose growth is less than 154 cm. To increase the growth, it was recommended to mix shires with German, Belgian and Dutch breeds.
Queen Elizabeth, who ascended the throne in 1558, played a significant role in the development of the “great horses”; she also demanded that the government increase the number of heavy trucks.
In order to achieve optimal breed parameters, breeders were forbidden to let representatives of the tribe whose parameters were less than the lower limit of measurements. This was followed, and starting from the 17th century, breeders could be punished for such non-compliance. When exporting outside of England, horses also underwent careful control. It was forbidden to export individuals with insufficient growth even to Scotland and Ireland.
In 1878, a pedigree book was published, in which the founder of the new breed was indicated. This honor went to the stallion with the funny nickname Blind Horse. From this moment, the Shire breed is tracked in detail.
Most likely, the ancestor of the breed was not blind, it's just the imagination of the owner, but some historians claim that a similar defect has occurred.
Actually, in 1878 a society of horse breeders specializing in shire breeding was organized. And in 1880, a special studentbook was established in which important information about the breed was stored. As soon as the English heavy truck became the subject of special exhibitions, foals, mares and adult stallions selected for shows were recorded in the studentbook.
It is interesting to note that the English heavy trucks did not immediately find their name. First came the name Great Horse, which translates as "great horse." Later the breed was called Old English and English. In the 18th century, the names “English crow” and “Lincolnshire giant” were often found. Then the name “Shire” was assigned to the breed, which can be translated as “border” or “county”.
The appearance of the stallions
Shire horses stand out for their special appearance. Breeders paid great attention to this moment. According to the standard, stallions can be of three stripes:
A small amount of white spots is permissible in the color. It can be an arrow on the muzzle from the forehead to the tip of the nose or white stockings.
Stallions according to the breed standard cannot be less than the following parameters:
- growth at the withers - from 173 cm and above;
- permissible horse weight - from 900 kg (on average it is 1100-1200 kg);
- girth of the chest begins with 215 cm (average - 255 cm);
- metacarpus of the forelimb - at least 25 cm in girth.
The metacarpus judges the general development of the skeleton and tendon-ligamentous apparatus of the animal. This is the part of the leg between the wrist and the grandmother (putus bone). The structure of the metacarpus is different for horses of different directions. For heavy trucks, a rounded shape is characteristic, on which tendons do not loom, but are felt.
The appearance of mares
For the purity of the breed, the appearance and become mares is also important, but here some liberty is permissible. So, for example, to the three main suits you can add a roan. In addition, the number of white marks is not so strictly regulated. There may be more than is acceptable for stallions.
When measuring the parameters of the mares, it is always taken into account that they are slightly smaller and lower. In this case, the minimum height of the horse is measured from 163 cm at the withers.
Distinctive features of the exterior
In addition to height, weight and girth of the chest, there are a number of features of the exterior of the breed. All representatives are characterized by a massive head with a wide forehead. The nose has a characteristic hump. The ears are not too large, rather, medium in size. All shire horses have a short neck with a high yield, a strong short back, muscular shoulders and steep shoulder blades. The breed is characterized by a long and wide croup with a high tail.
Horses have a magnificent flowing mane. It can be long or medium, often the owners weave special braids of various kinds for beauty. Sometimes ribbons or colored threads are woven into them. Some owners prefer decorative haircuts for the mane of their pets. Since Shire horses often participate in competitions and exhibitions, the appearance of the mane is given great importance.
Particular attention is paid to the legs. They must be long, strong and powerful. On the carpal and hock joints grow lush and shaggy friezes, giving the breed a special chic. The hooves must be large to support the weight of the animal. Most often, they are completely hidden under the so-called brush (frieze).
Intra breed types
Historically, within the breed, animals are divided into several types. Shires grown by Yorkshire horse breeders have a leaner build and have greater stamina. Animals raised in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have more pronounced brushes on their legs and a more bony build.
Attempts at distant exports
In Europe, the breed took root perfectly, which led to its high popularity. But in 1853 several shires were exported to America. Transporting animals was quite expensive and difficult, so the United States until 1880 was not particularly interested in importing English heavy trucks. However, the European breed in America was worthy of competition to the local heavy truck perchers. Since about 1910, horses were not only imported into the country, but also bred on the spot. During this period, almost 80% of the total number of shires in the world was grown in the USA.
Shires were imported into Russia only for the purpose of breeding and improving local heavy breeds. So, for example, Shire blood is present in Vladimir heavy trucks. Their characteristics were better, but this was not enough for the “British” to supplant the domestic “strongmen”.
World record holder
Shire heavy truck is considered the largest horse in the world. This breed owns height and weight records. Even the average representatives are amazing with their size and power. What to say about the recognized champion! The world record belongs to the largest Shire named Mammoth. This stallion had a height at the withers of 219 cm, and the horse's weight exceeded 1520 kg. The record was set in 1846, initially the foal was called Samson, but then his nickname was changed.
The birthplace of the champion is Toddington Mills, Bedfordshire.
Notable representatives
Thanks to accurate registration and complete lists of exhibition animals, the names of the most prominent representatives of the breed of those times have come to us:
- Lincoln 1345.
- Machless 1509.
- William Conquoror 2343.
- John Bull 1180.
These stallions became the progenitors of a large number of breed champions. They gave several lines of exhibition representatives with a powerful article and solid growth.
Today, the largest creep in Europe is considered the stallion Cracker. According to 2007, his height is 198 cm, and his weight exceeds 1200 kg. Cracker's homeland is Lincolnshire. In the world, the largest shire from Australia is Noddy (in some sources by Nobby). His height is 205 cm.
How to care for an English heavy truck
This is not to say that the content of the shire is very different from the content of other heavy-tensile rocks. Since the animal is large, it requires more feed. Hay and fresh grass per day leaves up to 17 kg. Record horses require more than 25 kg of feed per day. Concentrated top dressing is rarely used, top dressing for growth distillation is not used at all. As concentrates, you can use herbal flour and oilcake. The daily dose of such top dressing is about 7 kg. Shires love apples, beets and carrots. It is important not to forget to give the horse clean water.
Care for mane and tail for this breed is required. If the animal has long friezes on its legs, then they are also regularly washed and combed. For hygiene procedures use special shampoos and conditioners. Braiding weaves keeps the mane and tail from tangling.
As with other breeds, shires must be kept clean in the stable. It is important that the bedding is dry. With insufficient care, the legs of animals are susceptible to biting. Especially often this problem is observed in horses with coarse and coarse hair in the frieze area. For the prevention of biting midges, horses are washed their feet, dried and crushed with small sawdust. After some time, the sawdust is combed out of the friezes.
The animal should be able to move daily. Be sure to spend long walks and subject to reasonable stress.
Character
Shires have a surprisingly flexible disposition. This horse is not afraid of work, she will obediently carry out any command. Dissatisfaction and irritation are extremely rare. Kindness, loyalty and obedience are the main traits of the character of the animal.
Riders representing horses at exhibitions and competitions know that it takes strength and confidence to control such a horse. Giants easily carry loads, their tread is smooth and measured, but putting them into a gallop is not an easy task. And given the power, it’s also dangerous. In addition, stopping the galloping shire is quite difficult, so such experiments are carried out infrequently.
How are you doing today?
Technological advances have put English heavy trucks on the brink of survival. Their stock has critically declined. Today in Europe there are only a few hundred shires. For this reason, purebred Shire foals are highly regarded by connoisseurs. Each of them is recorded and tracked.
Breeders are doing their best to increase the number and preserve the breed, but this is not an easy job. A pedigree book is still being kept, in which all foals are entered in a three-step principle. The main section is reserved for purebred offspring.
For “half marriages” there is a special classification. Offspring (filly) from a registered stallion and unregistered mares are classified in category “A”. Next, this new filly is covered by a registered stallion, and their offspring (filly) are transferred to category “B”. A Category B filly is covered by a registered stallion, and this offspring is considered purebred. Only mares of purebred origin are allowed to breeding.
To prove paternity, each foal is subjected to a DNA test, on the basis of which it is recorded in a certain category.
How the approach to using the breed has changed
A strong and hardy horse shire was able to carry a large load on his back. Such a horse in the 16th century turned out to be indispensable during military operations, since chain mail, armor and weapons had considerable weight. However, the vestments of the military gradually changed, and knightly tournaments went down in history, the need for heavy trucks for the army became smaller.
The 19th century gave an impetus to the development of agriculture and trade. The Shire horse has become the main labor force on farms, in ports, on the railway. Heavy harnesses traveled along city roads and outside cities.
With the advent of cars, trucks and trams, it became unprofitable to grow and feed heavy-duty horses. Small farmers switched to more economical breeds. This almost became the reason for the complete destruction of the breed, which lost its attractiveness. However, thanks to the enthusiasts of their work, the breed has been preserved.
Today, a shire is a horse, the price of which is comparable to elite horses. In Russia, the cost of an English heavy truck is about 1 million rubles. The breed is used for exhibitions and competitions. Thoroughbred stallions often participate in promotions and filming. Shires gained particular popularity among beer producers. They are harnessed to advertising carts loaded with beer kegs.
However, all this does not mean that the horses have lost the skills of agricultural and cargo work. They will easily pull a carriage, a loaded wagon and a plow. Individuals that are not suitable for breeding work can be found on farms and private courtyards.
Shire horses are very hardy, strong and graceful at the same time. Such animals can not help but love, they delight in their appearance and mind.