Description and characteristics of Shire horses, conditions of keeping and breeding

Horses are a group of animals with which humans can interact closely and use them to achieve certain goals. There are a huge number of breeds of such animals. However, Shire horses stand out among them all. Many consider them to be the largest domesticated animals.

History of the origin of the Shire horse

Before you start raising Shire horses, you need to familiarize yourself with the history of their origin. Animals belonging to this breed come from England. Moreover, the ancestors of such horses are considered the oldest draft breed. The exact date of its appearance remains unknown to this day.

It is known that such animals began to be imported into England in the mid-sixteenth century. Then the government decided to seriously start breeding such large animals. At that time, this decision was very important for the state. The government issued a special decree that prohibited peasants from having large horses on their farms. They had to give them to the state so that they could be used to equip the army in the future.

Breed characteristics

The Shire breed has some distinctive features that every person planning to breed such animals should become familiar with.

Exterior and colors of giants

The main feature of horses that belong to this breed is their wide forehead and large head. They also have a wide and muscular neck. The horses' chests are also considerable and reach 180-190 centimeters in girth. At the same time, their hooves are small and flat. Basically, the Shire breed has a draft exterior. However, they have certain distinctive features. For example, they have a short back and too long neck. These features are not typical for standard draft horses.

The fillies are not as large as the males and are therefore significantly smaller in size. At the withers they reach about one hundred and forty centimeters. At the same time, the largest representatives of the breed can grow up to 180-185 centimeters in height.

Temperament and trainability of the animal

Many farmers who want to raise such animals on their plots are interested in the characteristics of their temperament. Some people consider these horses to be aggressive, but in reality this is not the case. Despite their considerable size and menacing appearance, such horses are very calm and kind. If you treat them well, they will never show aggression towards their owner. Calm temperament horses contributes to their training. They can be trained and controlled without any problems.

Horses quickly learn various commands and remain loyal to their owner.

Where are English heavy trucks used?

Initially, horses from this breed belonged to the category of heavy trucks. They were often used to plow the land or travel by carriage. Some bought them to practice horse riding. However, over time, the quality of roads improved significantly, and such animals were no longer used in harnesses. Now Shires are considered fast-learning animals that participate in special competitions or shows. For example, in England, races are held for them at a distance of up to three kilometers. However, even today the animals are used as a draft breed. Most often they are used in forestry.

Pros and cons of content

Shires, like other horse breeds, have several advantages and disadvantages that you should familiarize yourself with. Among the advantages are the following:

• high level of carrying capacity, thanks to which it is possible to transport heavy loads;
• hard work and endurance;
• unpretentiousness in nutrition;
• ease of animal care;
• calm temperament and learning ability;
• friendly attitude towards people and animals.

Despite a considerable number of advantages, the Shires have one serious drawback.The main disadvantage of keeping such horses is their large appetite. During the day, an adult eats twice as much food as horses of any other breed.

Raising and caring for animals

Before you start raising animals, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of caring for them.

Premises requirements

The premises in which horses will be kept must meet the following requirements:

• Walls and floor coverings must be made of high-quality thermal insulation materials. When creating the floor, it is recommended to use non-slip materials to prevent injuries to animals. It must be sprinkled with straw or sawdust. The surface can also be covered with expanded clay to prevent the appearance of fungus or mold.
• Partitions between stalls in a barn should be made of durable metal or wood. Their height should not be more than one meter.
• A special ventilation hole is made in each stall. This promotes air circulation inside the room.
• Doors must be equipped with three galvanized bolts. This will prevent the horse from leaving the stall on its own.

Features of feeding

The key to the health of any horse is its proper nutrition. Despite the fact that this breed is unpretentious to food, there are some nutritional requirements:

• Such animals need a lot of food. They eat about 25-30 kilograms of grass per day.
• Food containing many vitamins is added to the horses' diet. It includes apples, beets, carrots or cabbage. At the same time, foods containing vitamins should be given daily.
• Animals should not be given concentrated feed or supplements to stimulate growth.
• Piglets should be given only clean water, without additional impurities.

Hygiene and horse care

Every horse needs proper care. The tail and mane must be washed regularly and cleaned of any remaining dirt. They should be combed and braided periodically if the weather is too hot outside. On summer days, horses should be regularly bathed in cool water. You can also use special shampoos for horses.

After completing the water procedures, the horse’s body is thoroughly wiped with a dry towel.

It is necessary to periodically clean the stall so that there is no unpleasant odor. You should not allow waste to accumulate inside, as it promotes the growth of bacteria.

Grazing

Animals are grazed in the summer, when there is a lot of green grass outside. Most often, horses are released to pasture in the second half of May and June. Animals must graze for 2-3 hours daily. There is no need to overfeed them and therefore there is no need to leave them on pasture for a long time. Grazing stops closer to mid-August, when the amount of green grass decreases.

Horseshoe

It's no secret that over time, horses' hooves begin to wear out. However, if they live in a natural environment, this happens slowly. In horses living on a farm, hoof wear occurs much faster. Therefore, it is recommended to practice horseshoeing so that they do not wear out so quickly. Hoof shoeing should be done by professionals who are well versed in this. You should not install horseshoes yourself.

Vaccinations and disease prevention

When breeding the Shire breed, everything must be done to prevent the occurrence and development of diseases. There are preventive measures that will help prevent disease:

• regular vaccination of animals in accordance with the recommendations of a veterinarian;
• disinfection of the stables, as well as drinking bowls and feeders located inside;
• insulating the shed so that there are no drafts inside;
• maintaining dryness and good lighting levels in the stable;
• carrying out treatment against ticks in spring and summer;
• adding vitamin complexes to the diet to strengthen the immune system.

Reproduction and life expectancy of the breed

People who want to breed this breed should pay attention not only to the appearance of the animal, but also to whether it meets the standard. The mare should have almost the same build as the male. It is allowed for it to be slightly smaller in parameters. For mating, it is recommended to use a purebred stallion in order to get good and pure offspring. Thoroughbred horses can live more than thirty years. However, life expectancy depends on the conditions in which they were kept.

Average cost of a horse

Anyone can buy an English horse. However, before that you need to figure out how much it costs. The cost of such an animal is quite high. Sometimes it reaches one and a half million rubles. At the same time, the average price is 350-400 thousand rubles.

The final cost of a stallion or mare depends on several factors. It can be affected by gender, age and health status.

Interesting facts about the breed

There are several interesting facts about the Shire breed:

• these horses are considered the largest, as some of them grow up to two meters;
• Initially, stallions were used not for work in the field, but for transporting goods;
• Currently, some breweries in England use such horses to transport beer.

Conclusion

The Shire is considered a popular horse breed that many farmers have heard of. Before breeding such horses, you need to familiarize yourself with their characteristics and the features of caring for them.