Image from Eleassar
Origins
Also called the Croation Pasavac, Posavina Horse, Posavina & Busak Posavec, The Hrvatski Posavic comes from the flood plains of the Sava River in Croatia and their numbers are very low today.
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Image from {tribal} photography
Intro
One of the ancestoral breeds, the Barb has bloodlines as old (or older) than the Arabian. Like the Arabian, it is a desert horse, however that is where their similarities end.
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Image from Just chaos
Intro
Known for their distinctive gait, the Tennessee Walking horse plays an important part in the history of American gaited horses. Their bloodlines were influenced by the plantation economy and needs in the southern part of the U.S. during the early to mid 20th century.
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Image from Bundesarchiv
Intro
The Sini Horse comes from the Sini River Basin in China and have been developed since early in the 20th century.
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Intro
The Silesian or Slaski Horse was developed around the turn of the 19th century and bred in Lower Silesia in Poland.
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Intro
Descendant from the English Great Horse of the Middle Ages, the Shire horse is among the largest of the draft breeds .
Origins
Appearing in Britain around the end of the 16th century when strong animals were needed to pull heavy wagons and coaches long distances over rough terrain. The Shire derived from blood of forest horses, and Friesian and Flanders horse imports.
The English Great horse is still considered the Shire horse’s principle ancestor, although its bloodlines were slowly reduced in the stock as the influx of Dutch Friesian blood grew stronger.
Modern Shire horses are renowned for their strength, a pair of Shire horses have pulled 16.5 tons of weight on granite paving tiles.
Features
Average height Over 17 hands
Extremely large animals
Incredible pulling strength
One of the biggest horses in the world
Physique
Long neck for a draft horse, with wide shoulders
Legs are clean and muscular, hocks set for maximum leverage
Heavy feathering on back of legs
Big, round hooves
Traditional Colors
Temperament
Big and gentle, the Shire is a docile giant
Use
General riding
Show horses
Parade horse
Shire Horse Products
Helpful Links
*All links open in a new window
American Shire Horse Association
Canadian Shire Horse Association
Shire Horse Society
Where to Buy
Shire Studs
Video
Do you have images or know more about the Shire breed? I’d love help completing this page, please contact me to get involved.
Image from Shagya France
Intro
The Shagya Arabian comes from Hungary and was established during the Turkish occupation of Hungary that lasted until the end of the 17th century.
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Intro
Also called the Holsteiner Coldblood, & Schleswiger Kaldblut, the Schleswiger Heavy Draft comes from northern Germany. In their heyday they were widely used as a working horse, but sadly today they are on the list of endangered domestic animal breeds.
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Intro
The Saxony Warmblood is a robust warmblood breed with a much heavier body type than the warmblood sporting horses of today. They are bred in the areas of Saxony & Thuringia, and although they are a heavy in type they are not to be confused with the Saxon-Turinga Coldblood.
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Origins
The Saxon Turinga Coldblood comes from Turinga & Saxony and is descend from Rhenish Westfalian Draught Horses. This is an incredibly rare animal & conservation efforts are underway.
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