Horses : SHIRE HORSE

Origin: England

Australian Status: 

International Status: in its home country listed as At Risk (900-1500) and Vulnerable globally by EST.

Arrived in Australia: Very early in colonial days, usually called cart horses. As they looked similar to Clydesdales, many were erroneously called by that breed's name by the press and ignorant people. Many came in over the years, and Shires were the horse that formed Arnold Weinholt's Maryvale Stud which ironically became a famous Clydesdale stud in Queensland with its own stud book. In modern times it was 1981 they were re-introduced.

Australian Population: 106 breeding age mares, 121 mares in total and 9 fillies. 48 breeding stallions, 4 colts, 17 NB stallions and 105 geldings. Many thanks to Helen of Ingelside Shires for allowing us to gather the necessary information to gain the current numbers. - 2020

History: Descended from the Great Black Horse of old England, itself descended from the big heavy horses brought in with the Norman invasion of 1066. The Great Black Horse became a knights charger during the centuries jousting was the prime sport of England and Europe, and hauled heavy coaches through the mire in the centuries roads were appalling, vehicle design poor and horses needed super strength to drag anything on wheels. Dutch, German and Flemish (Belgium) horses brought in later added to the heft.

The founding sire of the Shire is regarded as the Packingham Blind Horse, which stood at Packingham in Leicestershire c.1755-70. Once roads improved dramatically so did vehicles, and knights were no longer, so the Shire was bred heavier for carting loads, forestry, and agricultural draught work. Their society was proactive in encouraging export so the breed went to many countries in the days of horse power, and was regarded as the best of the heavies. At the height of draught days it's thought there were over a million Shires - pulling canal boats, brewery carts, wheat wagons, wool wagons, delivery carts, unloading and loading ships and so on. They were powerful, willing, with good safe action and very good natured. Needless to say they were also used in war for artillery and carting, and crosses were popular for these purposes too. Once horse power was no longer needed the numbers went into free fall, as with all horse breeds - there were times they were in danger of extinction. Fortunately numbers are slowly recovering. There are Shire Horse organisations in several countries. 

The Shire disappeared from Australia after heavy horse days, and thankfully was re-introduced in pure form as registered animals, by Helens Scarf, in 1981, who went on to do much to promote the breed.

Originally called the English Cart Horse when their society formed in 1878, the name was changed to Shire in 1884, partly as there was buyer resistance to anything called 'English' in Ireland where the breed gained much popularity once the name changed; it also helped distinguish them from any cart horse of any breed, as they were invariably simply called cart horses. Great care was taken with this breed so problems were kept out - they were always known as problem free with exceptionally well run studs and governing body. Keeping the studbook open helped in this endeavour and entries carefully screened. Many times Shires were directly registered as Clydesdales to correct problems in that breed such as greasy heel, mud fever, excessive white, excessive feather, wall eyes, extreme cow hocks and so on. However a Clydie could not be registered as a Shire. Bred for cartage so a four square horse strong before and behind, unlike a plough horse which pulls from the front and goes narrow behind. 

Breed traits: The gentle giants. Large powerful draught with good silky feather (hairy legs). Good reliable, tractable, steady temperament. Solid colour, often bay, brown or black, with white makings but not excessive markings. Once, no body white was ever seen.

Uses: Draught uses, driving, riding, crossing for sport horses.

Organisation : The Shire Horse Society of Australia Inc. https://shirehorsesociety.com.au/ - established in 1978 this society's stud book is affiliated with the World Shire Stud Book. As well as the stud book the Australian Society also has a Register, and a separate Register for Shire Sport Horses (part breds). The site has comprehensive background on the breed.

Additional Notes: Foal chart for the past decade https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kGCnmeG0cYO2TubCUBaNLxhEhuzPOuEQ/view?usp=sharing

Top photo: Ingleside Madeline, Supreme winner at Sydney Royal Show 2015, photo by Allira Fontanta, kindly supplied by Helen Kuiper - the mare is from her stud. Middle photo: Shire stallionby Cai Thomas. Bottom photo: Shire foal by Cai Thomas.

Page by Janet lane
(population updated 10/06/2020 by A.Y.)

Back to Horses