Gentle Giant Ranch - Shire Horses

As Gentle Giant Ranch, we have raised over 100 purebred English Shire horses during the last 35 years. Even in retirement we will continue to promote Shires as the most gentle and intelligent horses that we have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Shire horses are black, brown, bay or grey, and usually have a blaze and some white markings on their lower legs and feet. A characteristic feature is their abundant hair (called feather) below the knees and hocks. Mature horses stand 17-19 hands high and weigh 1700-2400 pounds. Shires are known for their strength, athletic ability and docile disposition.

The Shire horse is primarily used as a draft animal for farm work, and for advertising in harness in promotional hitches, and in recent years has proven to be a strong contender in the world of dressage. The Shire is also making a name for itself in the sporthorse world as a hunter /jumper when crossed with thoroughbreds.

Although the Shire is the most popular heavy horse in England, there are still less than 3000 Shires in the world, and less than 300 in Canada.