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SHIRE HORSES 



History of the Breed 



The " Great Horse " or " War Horse " from which 

 our modern Shires trace their descent is a very ancient 

 breed. These heavy and powerful animals were produced 

 in England by crossing stallions brought from the 

 Continent with home-bred mares. Such importations 

 took place in the year 1160, and probably at an even 

 earlier date. 



These " Great Horses " were required to carry men in 

 heavy armour, and as the light chain mail of the Norman 

 period was gradually discarded in favour of plate armour, 

 which was far heavier, so did the demand increase for 

 the only horses capable of carrying the enormous weight. 

 Hence for centuries the Great Horse was by far the most 

 valuable animal, and its breeding was the constant care 

 of our Sovereigns. 



The efficiency of mounted men depended, in those 

 days, upon the strength of the horses, which might be 

 required to carry as much as 4 cwt. (32 stone) ; and, 

 throughout the long period during which plate armour 

 was worn, neither pains nor money were spared to 

 maintain and keep in the country the " Great Horses " 

 which were indispensable for the men who wore it. 



The importance of the Great Horse as a factor in the 

 scheme of national defence began to decline about the 



