Since 1878 the Shire Horse Society has been working to protect the breed, that was then known as the Old English Breed of Cart Horse. Over the years the Society has worked hard to ensure that the breed continues to grow and to maintain interest in these magnificent horses. Here you will find detailed information into the history of the Shire, upcoming events and classes, our latest missions, breeding news and much more.
Because Shire Horses are so calm and placid, we do not think that they would be good in wars. However, it is because of war that the Shire horse came into being.
Native British horses were quite small and light, like the ponies you can still see in wild in places like the New Forest, Dartmoor and Exmoor. When knights started wearing heavy suits of armour the horses were unable to carry them.
Heavier breeds from the Continent (especially Holland, Germany and Flanders in modern day Belgium) were introduced to Britain and the Great Horse (also known as the War Horse) first came into being.
Eventually warfare changed and soldiers no longer wore heavy suits of armour, but this did not mean that the Great Horse was no longer needed. It was soon recognised that their great strength and placid nature would make them useful on the farm and for pulling heavy loads.
They soon took over the jobs previously done by oxen on farms, such as ploughing. Horses were faster and more intelligent than oxen and could also work in forestry.
The Industrial Revolution saw the construction of a nationwide system of canals which enabled heavy loads to be transported long distances. The Shire was the ideal horse to use, towing the barges along the canals. They were also used to haul large wagons, drays, omnibuses and trams.
Soon however, technology developed and the need for the horse declined. The first blow was the rise of the railway, meaning less goods were transported by barge. Then came the tractor, replacing horses on farms. Finally more and more road vehicles were powered by engines and the Shire horse’s days soon seemed numbered.
Shire horse numbers fell from well over a million to just a few thousand by the 1960s and the breed was in serious trouble. A small group of dedicated breeders came to rescue though and the Shire is seeing a resurgence in popularity both as a working animal and a riding horse.
Although the heyday of the Shire horse may well be over, the horse is far from redundant, and indeed undergoing a resurgence.
More and more, younger people now feel the draw of working with these wonderful creatures, and the demand is there for traditional, experienced horsemen to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
Horses are working the fields again, albeit on a small scale. Small farms, small holdings and market gardens are finding a place for the horse – especially those concerned with the environmental impact of their activities.
Forestry and timber extraction has been one area that the use of draught horses has increased. Horse’s hooves are far less damaging in area of sensitive flora and fauna.
Organisations such as The Royal Parks are once again employing heavy horses to work the land.
Agricultural shows and ploughing matches are the most visible face working horses, and an ideal opportunity for the public to interact with both horses and their owners.
Ploughing matches had all-but disappeared by the 1960s, but along with those determined not to lose the breed, there were many determined not to lose the skill of the ploughman. Now, ploughing matches are a popular day out across the country and many include classes for novices.
Shire horses are also competing in more modern activities, such as skills tests and obstacle driving, plus cross country trials and timber ‘snigging’ (an obstacle course completed with a log being towed by the horse!). All of these activities demonstrate the abilities of the working horse in a social, if competitive, environment.
There are also a number of Heavy Horse Centres, working farms and rural life museums around the country, many of whom feature Shire horses working, and allow the public, especially children to get close to the horses.
The rise in traditional leisure activities has also seen heavy horses pulling ‘gypsy style’ caravans and canal barges for holiday makers.
The traditional role of the brewery horse pulling the dray has been retained by many of the traditional brewers, primarily as a promotional tool.
A few local authorities use heavy horses for jobs such as park maintenance and promotion.
Horse owners can often find work for their animals providing horse and wagon for weddings or local carnivals. They can also find work harrowing sports grounds and river beds, where the horse does far less damage than the tractor.
This resurgence in the popularity of the working horse of all breeds maybe small compared to the past, but it is vitally important. It is preventing many of the old skills being lost, not only in horsemanship, but also harness makers, heavy horse farriers and other associated trades.
History of the Shire Horse Society
The Industrial Revolution increased demand for goods, and although the railways limited the long distance work required by Shire Horses the demand for short haulage more than compensated.
Numbers of heavy horses increased continuously throughout the nineteenth century.
The English Cart Horse Society was founded in 1878, inspired from the start by the enthusiasm of the future King Edward VII. The Society worked hard to improve the quality of horses through its pedigree and show system.
In 1880 the Society held its first Spring Show, in the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London. One hundred and seventeen animals were exhibited and the Champion was a stallion called Admiral 71.
In 1884 the name ‘Shire’ horse was established and the Society’s name changed to the Shire Horse Society of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Society also launched educational activities to transform the standard of management and treatment of working horses.
The early years of the Society encouraged the export of Shires and in 1888 issued a record breaking 1,400 pedigree export certificates. Shires were in strong demand in the USA, Canada, Australia, South America, Germany and Russia.
However, the mechanisation of transport, agriculture and industry bought with it a decline in numbers of Shire horses – and this decline accelerated rapidly after the Second World War. The 1958 Stud Book contained just five colts and eleven fillies.
By 1963 the Society faced a tough choice – was it really worth soldiering on with such small numbers of animals? The Secretary at the time was due to retire and the Society was struggling for money. Thankfully, there were a few stubborn stalwarts remaining, whose passion for the Shire over-rode practical considerations.
The Society’s National Show still takes place in March each year, allowing the best of Shires to be shown. Enthusiasts from all over the world to meet together along with general public to get close to and appreciate these magnificent creatures.
Interest in the Shire began to grow and it soon turned into enthusiasm. Membership and the numbers of breeders have grown with ever increasing momentum. Export of horses has not only resumed but steadily increased and today Shire horses are exported all over the World.
In July 2019, the Shire Horse Society moved to a new purpose-built office in the grounds of Rockingham Castle, Rockingham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire to allow it to continue its work.
For supporting the breed there are options of:
- Supporter membership
- Make donations via the website donations page
- Volunteering to help at events – there is a website link where they can sign up as a volunteer – (when there some events of course!)
- Visiting SHS Approved Centres
- Attend camp and other events
I actually fell into the Shire as a breed, the idea of a horse with feathers and big and bulky never really appealed to me, I guess I was a horse snob! My partner had a shire broodmare he rescued and I started to get involved with them via her. We went to a few shows to watch the breed in action, and put the mare in foal to a shire stallion to help breed numbers, and when the foal arrived my real love and appreciation of shires started. We went out and got one to do ridden on and a bit of showing, learnt a lot about what we were looking for, and just what they were capable of. The just like chocolates, having just one is not enough and we slowly crept up to eight. We do a small bit to help preserve the breed and breed one or two foals a year, we like to promote the Shire and share our love of them with the public at Demos as part of the Shire Horse Society Team.
I’ve had light horses my whole life either Warmbloods or TB, I got great enjoyment out of them and lots of smiles, but I have to say, I’ve never smiled more with the horses since getting a Shire. I love the fact you don’t need to call them in the field, they see you and come straight to you, that big white blaze coming towards you at a trot or canter, there gentle nature, but willingness to work and try for you is fantastic, I feel there is no pressure, and people do not “expect” a Shire to be capable of much other than happy hacking or plodding round with a cart, you couldn’t be much more wrong. Ours are the ultimate in versatile, no need for a quad bike, can harrow or roll your field with your Shire, go out for a Sunday drive with a group of friends, ride a dressage test, even go to HOYS in hand or ridden. If you want to jump then this is probably not an ideal breed, but if you want a kind horse that all the family can enjoy this is your breed.
The Shire Horse Society kindly provided the Breed history and information.
www.shire-horse.org.uk
#saveourshires
#shirehorsesociety
