Buyer question
How long does a Shire horse live?
Our Animal Library gives the Shire horse a lifespan of 20–25 years.
Source: the Shire horse page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Shire horse in the Animal Library
The detail
An English draft horse and one of the tallest breeds in the world, once used for farm work and brewery drays. Shires are gentle and patient, but their size and feathered legs make them costly to house and care for.
- Origin
- England
- Best fit
- Driving, pleasure, showing
- Upkeep
- 5 out of 5 (Feather care, huge feet)
- Temperament
- Gentle, patient, docile
What to weigh
Shires need oversized everything, from stalls to trailers. Heavy feather brings mites and chronic progressive lymphedema risk.