Shire

Horse · Draft · 0 live listings

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.

At a glance

Origin
England
Size
16–18+ hands · 1,800–2,400 lb
Lifespan
20–25 years
Coat
Black, bay, grey; feather
Temperament
Gentle, patient, docile
Best fit
Driving, pleasure, showing
Species
Horse
Category
Horses
Group
Draft
Registries
AQHA, APHA, The Jockey Club
Papers
5 categories
EnergySteady and quiet
TrainabilityPatient and kind
UpkeepFeather care, huge feet
Beginner fitGentle, but huge

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

Shires need oversized everything, from stalls to trailers. Heavy feather brings mites and chronic progressive lymphedema risk.

Common questions

What should the pre-purchase exam cover?

Ask the vet to check the lower legs under the feather for mites, crusting and thickened skin that suggest chronic progressive lymphedema. Include feet and a soundness exam.

Can you ride a Shire?

Yes. Many are ridden and shown under saddle. Saddle fit on a very wide back and a confident rider are essential.

Are Shires rare?

Their numbers dropped sharply with farm mechanization and are still modest. Conservation groups list the breed as at risk.

Market, past 90 daysFull index →
Not enough sales yet for a median
Typical rangeNot enough sales yet for a rangeLive listings0
Health tests to ask for
Negative Coggins within 12 monthsVeterinary exam on fileCore vaccinations currentPre-purchase exam on fileCurrent radiographs availableDental float within 12 monthsMicrochip registeredEquine genetic health panel

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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Shire · Everybarn