Shire Horse
ExploreMammals
Shire Horse
Equus ferus caballus
Shire Horses are big and gentle giants! They have strong bodies and are often seen on farms helping with work or just enjoying the sunshine.
Appearance
The Shire Horse is a massive draft horse, typically black, bay, or grey, often with distinctive white markings on its face and lower legs. Its most striking feature is the abundant 'feathering' – long, silky hair – on its lower legs, covering large hooves.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPerissodactylaFamilyEquidaeGenusEquus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single Shire Horse can pull the weight of several small cars all by itself!
Shire Horses once wore special metal shoes weighing up to 5 kilograms each!
The tallest horse ever was a Shire Horse named Sampson, standing over 2.19 meters!
Their huge hooves can be as big around as dinner plates!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Strength
Shire Horses can pull extremely heavy loads because of their immense muscular power, which helps them in farm work and hauling.
Ability
Gentle Giant Temperament
Shire Horses have a calm and docile temperament that helps them work safely and patiently alongside humans and other animals.
Ability
Protective Feathering
Shire Horses have thick feathering on their lower legs that helps protect their sensitive skin and hooves from mud and debris.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 200-250 cm
- Weight
- 850-1100 kg
- Lifespan
- 25-30 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 330-345 days
Diet & Feeding
Shire Horses are big eaters, munching on grasses and hay to fuel their massive bodies.
Primary Foods
- grass
- hay
- oats
- barley
- carrots
- apples
Foraging Method
- Grazing
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Human
Homo sapiens
Humans breed and care for Shire Horses for work and companionship.
eats
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
They graze on various pasture grasses, including fescue.
eats
Timothy Grass
Phleum pratense
A common hay crop and pasture grass consumed by Shire Horses.
depends on
House Mouse
Mus musculus
Mice may scavenge spilled grains and feed from horse stables.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Domesticated
Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Also known as
Shire
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before getting close to any horse, and remember to be gentle and calm around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Shire Horse?
200-250 cm
How much does Shire Horse weigh?
850-1100 kg
How long does Shire Horse live?
25-30 years
How fast can Shire Horse move?
25 km/h
What does Shire Horse eat?
Shire Horses are big eaters, munching on grasses and hay to fuel their massive bodies.
How does Shire Horse hunt?
Grazing
How many babies does Shire Horse usually have?
1
How long is Shire Horse's gestation?
330-345 days
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