Shire horses have been part of our rural heritage since the 17th century. Direct descendants of the great battle horses of late medieval times, they were used as draught horses in farming and industry for over 300 years and are still the most recognisable breed of British horse.
The tallest horse in history was believed to be a Shire called Mammoth, standing at just over 21.2 hands (86.25 inches, 219 cm). In 1924, at a British exhibition, a pair of Shire horses was estimated to have pulled a starting load equal to 45 tons (equivalent to about 40 Mini Coopers!)
They've been a feature of the Alrewas Show for over a hundred years, but as their use in agriculture has been superceded by tractors and other farming machinery, their population has dwindled to less than 1500, putting them on the "At Risk" register of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Nowadays, Shires are mostly kept for promotional uses and for showing, though there are a few breweries that still use them to deliver to local hostelries. The Alrewas Show is proud to play its part in promoting these superb animals. Our Shires competitions are among the best-attended anywhere in the country, attracting dozens of entries.
You can find out more about Shire horses by visiting the Shire Horse Society website.
