Shire Horse
Livestock
The Shire and War Horse
Shire Horse pulling a plough
Shire Horse pulling a plough


The Shire Horse is a powerful Draught Horse used in farming and military for pulling heavy loads.

Packington 1760

The origin of the Shire Horse dates back to a cold blooded heavy horse first mentioned in around 1066 probably brought into England after the Norman Conquest. From this developed the "English Great Horse". The Packington Blind Horse Stallion is recognised as the father of the Shire Breed. He came from Packington near Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire between 1755 & 1770. He was black and appears in the first 'Shire Stud Book' and large numbers of horses are descended from him.
Shire Horse & cart delivering Beer
Shire Horse & cart delivering Beer


The English Shire Horse Society
The English Cart Horse Society was founded in 1878, later changing its name to the Shire Horse Society. 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.
shire horse
shire horse


Both in commerce and agriculture Shire horses literally made the wheels of Britain's industry go round. They worked in fields, in towns, on docks and quays, on canal towpaths, for mills and railways. Their numbers ran into millions.
The emblem of Rule Britannia
In History
  • 21 September 1936.
    This month 87 years ago the world lost Frank Hornby
  • 01 September 1976.
    This month 47 years ago the world lost Percy Shaw
  • 10 September 1960.
    This month 63 years ago the world lost Harold Gillies
  • 01 September 1806.
    This month 217 years ago the world lost Edward Nairne
  • 21 September 1836.
    This month 187 years ago the world lost John Stafford Smith
  • 01 September 1846.
    This month 177 years ago the world lost Edwin Beard Budding
  • 25 September 1936.
    This month 87 years ago the world lost William Horlick
  • Christmas Cracker. 200 years ago 18/10/1823 Tom Smith was born
  • 17 September 1877.
    This month 146 years ago the world lost William Henry Fox Talbot
  • 28 September 1839.
    On this day 184 years ago John Lawson Johnston was born
  • 18 September 1938.
    This month 85 years ago the world lost William Fletcher
  • Marshall Amplification. 100 years ago 29/7/1923 Jim Marshall was born
  • 10 September 1938.
    This month 85 years ago the world lost Charles Cruft
  • 18 September 1967.
    This month 56 years ago the world lost John Cockcroft
  • 16 September 1890.
    This month 133 years ago the world lost Louis Le Prince
  • 50 years ago in 1973 The first stable LCD is announced to the world.
The emblem of Rule Britannia
Who Invented?
Who Discovered?
Who Created?
The History of..

Tags: