Description of the horse Iair
The Shire horse is an English breed of draft horse. The breed was obtained by crossing imported Flanders and Friesians with local filly. From the very beginning, the breed was intended exclusively for military service. Only relatively recently have they seen heavy trucks and ordinary horses.
Shire horses
External characteristics
Despite the fact that the Shire is a rather ancient breed of English horses, its representatives are not homogeneous. Among them you can find horses with unusual weight and size, such individuals are suitable only for a quiet ride. But among them there are also large individuals with a massive physique, these are the very heavyweights that can be sledged.
This species is characterized by a well-developed physique in equal proportions. The back and chest of the representatives are wide. The rump also, due to its width and power, gives tremendous strength and endurance to this horse. Shire's suit can be varied. Shire suit can be black, bay, red and gray. As for the color, white stockings can often be found on the Shairs, usually on the hind legs, and a bald spot may be present on the head. This can also be seen in the photo.
disadvantages
If we talk about the shortcomings of shires, then they may have a strong freeziness, they do not always have enough squat. But soon these disadvantages will no longer be, as breeders are working hard to eliminate them. For this, in the territories of England, Shires are now actively crossed with mares of pure blood. The result of such efforts is the emergence of breeding horses that feel great in harness.
In the twentieth century, more precisely - in the 50s, there was an active crossing of the Shires with the Cleydesdals, because of this, the first appeared beautiful silky friezes on legs. On the front legs of the horses, friezes grow, starting at the wrist and further around the entire leg. On the rear, friezes grow from the hock.
Character
Among the qualities of these horses are:
- equilibrium;
- peacefulness;
- easy handling;
- it is due to obedience and ease of management that Shires are often chosen for crossing with other horses.
Where Shire applies
Previously, the breed was often used for farming, but gradually, when stagecoaches began to gain popularity, these horses were actively used to transport people. It's not for nothing that this heavy horse. This became especially popular when fresh blood was poured into the breed. They gave the shires flexibility and mobility, despite the fact that they remained very large in size.
In the 19th century, Shire was the main labor force in agricultural work. The railway and the docks simply could not do without these horses, the Shire horse is just a godsend for them. On city streets, too, one could often find these horses. Indeed, then the power and large sizes of these horses were very appropriate. They also loved them because they easily and with pleasure succumbed to training.
Huge Shire strength and high growth of horses led them to records in the whole world. The fact is that, according to official sources, the Shires are the strongest in terms of carrying capacity. In April 1924, two shire were carrying a team weighing 50 tons.
For obvious reasons, horses were actively used in the army service. Then, when technical progress had already begun to develop and tractors of the first type were developed, the demand for Shire horses subsided somewhat, but interest in them revived with the advent of the tote.
Shire breed today
In modern times, the role of these horses is aesthetic and historical. Today these horses are actively serving brewers. On the streets of England, you can find an old-style team that delivers beer. You can also see the breed in wagon sleds, which are engaged in entertainment shows.
In addition, these handsome men still take an active part in various exhibitions, equestrian shows, auctions and tournaments. The British, probably due to their conservatism, still very much respect and love this breed. In Russia, the Shire horse is rare.
The Shire horse will be quite expensive for the owner. In particular, because the horse consumes a decent amount of food. The mare and the racehorse must eat good food to maintain their natural strength.
A purebred foal is expensive. A foal from an unregistered mare is cheaper. For purebred representatives of the breed, there is a special herd book.