The Shire Horse: a History of the Breed, the Society and the Men

The Shire horse is thought to have descended from "the Great Horse," a warhorse hundreds of years ago. This horse is often depicted in rolling fields in the countryside, predominantly used in agriculture and for pulling heavy carts. By the late 18th century, the famous stallion called the Packington Blind Horse was a stud in Leicestershire, now recognised as the founding sire of the Shire horse that we know today. The Shire Horse Society has records going back to 1701. But as the industrial revolution made the role of the Shire redundant, many of the equines ceased to be in demand by farms and workers. In the 1970's, people who know and love the breed began to campaign to save the breed from eventual extinction. Although the Shire horse still has a long way to go, the society began to promote the Shire horse for its willing attitude as a riding mount and also as a carthorse. shire horse breed facts A Willing and Brave Riding Horse Today, the Shire horse not only has a reputation as a willing and brave mount, but also as a sturdy and strong working horse, still used by some breweries to transport barrels. It was estimated that in 1893, 3000 horses were used by London brewers, many of which were Shires. These large horses have a vital role to play in society, including as police horses, army horses, therapy horses, working horses, as well as general riding horses.

Slight scuffing on dust jacket and marking at paper edge, otherwise completely unmarked and intact.