In this post we will find out what is the largest breed of horses, and learn how massive the Guinness book of World Records horses were.
In the vast realm of equine wonders, few sights capture the imagination quite like the world’s largest horse breeds. These majestic creatures defy expectations with their towering stature, embodying strength, grace, and a unique allure that has fascinated humans for centuries. Join us on a journey to discover these magnificent giants, and find out what is the largest breed of horses, learn about their rich history, characteristics, and the awe-inspiring stories behind these remarkable equine marvels.
Sampson a Mammoth of a Horse
Sampson was a magnificent Shire horse and is the biggest horse that ever lived. Little is known about Sampson’s life but that he set an incredible record for his massive size that has held for well over a century. .
He holds the title for the largest horse in history and is found in the Guinness Book of World Records as both the tallest and heaviest horse. He was famous for his incredible size and strength.
Sampson has held the record for a long time. He was bred by Thomas Cleaver and was born in 1846 in Bedfordshire, England. When he was 4 years old, he weighed 3,360 pounds (1,524 kg). Sampson was 21.2½ hands tall, or 7 feet, 2.5 inches (2.19 meters).
He was a colossal giant that made other draft horses look small. In comparison an average horse is around 15 hands tall or about 5 feet. If you are curious how horses are measured, I have written an article on it here.
Over the many years since Sampson set the record other horses have tried to challenge him but Sampson continues to hold on to his record to this day.
Sampson was later renamed Mammoth as a testament to his outstanding size.
Big Jake: The Gentle Giant
164 years after Sampson there came another horse after the title as the largest horse in the world. Big Jake was born in March 2001 and lived in Poynette, Wisconsin, at the Smokey Hollow Farm. At the time of his birth, he already weighed 240 pounds (109 kg).
In 2010 a Belgian horse by the name of Big Jake was measured and Guinness World Records announced that he was the tallest horse living. He did not beat Sampson’s record though.
Big Jake stood 20 hands and 2.75 inches, or 6 feet, 10.8 inches (2.1 meters).
By the time he became the world’s largest horse, he was tipping the scales at 2,500 pounds (1,200 kg).
Big Jake passed away in June 2021, living an impressive 20 years. According to his owner, Jerry Gilbert, Big Jake ate two buckets of grain and one hay bale every day. His size was undoubtedly unforgettable, and his record remains awe-inspiring.
Brooklyn Supreme a Big Belgian
A Belgian draft stallion by the name of Brooklyn supreme was also a giant among horses. He was born in 1928 and stood 19. 2 hands tall and weighed 3200 pounds he is the largest Belgian draft horse ever recorded.
What is the Largest Breed of horses
Shire Horse Breed
The largest breed of horse in the world is the Shire horse. They typically stand 17-19 hands high and can even reach a height of 20 hands high like the tallest horse ever, Sampson. Shire horses have an average weight ranging from 1870 to 2430 pounds.
Shire horses have a kind and gentle disposition. They originated from England where they were bred to pull carts and used on the farm to plow fields.
Shire horses display a remarkable combination of size and power, making them both visually impressive and highly capable in various tasks.
Historically people have used the Shire breed for pulling heavy carts and plowing fields.
Shires come in various colors, including black, bay, brown, and grey.
Belgian Heavy Drafts also called Belgian Draught Horses
Belgian drafts are a large draft breed originating from Belgium. Their average height typically is 16-17 hands high. Although a few can get much larger like Brooklyn Supreme and Big Jake. They are known for their tremendous size and and strength. Heavy horses were bred during medieval times to carry knights into battle. They were known as the “great horse”. They are a gentle giant and easy to work with and train making them ideal for pulling heavy wagons and doing field work.
Suffolk Punch Horses
Originating in eastern England, the Suffolk Punch breed has roots dating back to the 1500s. Bred for draft work like farming and heavy-duty tasks, the Suffolk Punch is known for its impressive size, power and endurance.
Today’s best-known breeds of draft horses are said to date back to the great war horses of Medieval times. But while these great titans clashed in mortal combat, the quiet farmers of eastern England went about developing their own breed of heavy horse, the Suffolk Punch. This one breed is today the least known in North America, and yet has many great qualities (North American Suffolk Horse Association)
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale originated in Scotland. In the 1920’s it was a much smaller and more compact horse. It was smaller then a Shire, Percheron, and Belgian Draught. During world war 2 it went through a significant change and they began to breed Clydesdales that were taller. They wanted a fancier horse that would be more impressive in parades and shows. Today, the Clydesdale stands 162 to 183 cm (16.0 to 18.0 h) high and weighs 820 to 910 kg (1800 to 2000 lbs.). Some males can get as big as 183 cm and weigh up to 1000 kg (2200 lbs.).
Origin and History of Draft Horses
Large horse breeds are often characterized as gentle giants. They almost always have a calm demeanor and are easy to train and work with. Draft horses have been bred for several centuries and different regions developed their own special breeds of these heavy horses. Shires and Suffolk Punch came from England, Clydesdales from Scotland, Belgian’s from Belgium, and Percherons from France. These horses became the strongest horse breeds through selective breeding.
Historical Uses for Heavy Horses
Draft horses were initially bred for the purpose of carrying heavily armored knights into battles. As time progressed, their role evolved beyond the battlefield, and they were used for agricultural work and logging. These large horses have incredible strength and a gentle temperament that made them the perfect fit for plowing, farming, and hauling heavy loads. Additionally, draft horses played a pivotal role in the mining industry, where they were utilized to pull heavy carts loaded with coal or ore from underground mines to the surface. Furthermore, they were also used in military operations, serving as dependable transportation for soldiers, supplies, and artillery.
How Heavy Horses are Being Used Today
Draft horses continue to be popular today. They can also be found on some smaller farms in Europe and the US. They are still used in farming, and are a staple in the Amish community. Their ability to pull heavy loads and gentle temperaments also make them well-suited for forestry work. They may continue to grow in popularity as more people are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to machinery. Horses require only grass, hay, and grain as fuel and produce useful fertilizer instead of pollution.
Apart from agricultural work, you can see them at pulling competitions, shows and heavy horse trials. They are also commonly seen giving wagon rides at fairs and special events. Draft breeds have been crossbred with light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred to create sport horses of the warmblood type. These horses excel at dressage and show jumping.
Draft Horse Size and Weight
Draft horses are cold-blooded horses, and are selectively bred for strength and to have a calm personality with a lower energy level. They are well-suited for tasks demanding power and sustained effort. They are renowned for their colossal size and weight. Some of the largest breeds, including the Shire, Clydesdale, Belgian Draft, and Percheron are 18 to 19 hands high, with weights averaging between 1,800 to 2,200 pounds (800-1,000 kg). These majestic creatures are a sight to behold, and their impressive physical attributes make them perfect for heavy-duty tasks.
Body Conformation
Draft horses are characterized by their solid and muscular build. They possess strong, upright shoulders that facilitate efficient pulling motion, as well as broad, short backs that contribute to their impressive strength (Wikipedia). They have well-developed hindquarters, which provide the necessary power for heavy work and pulling tasks.
In addition to their muscular frame, draft horses possess crucial adaptions to support their size and functionality. They are equipped with large hooves and impressive bone structure, which help distribute their weight evenly and maintain stability. Furthermore, their strong front legs and shoulders coupled with their broad faces give them a distinct look compared to other horse breeds (Amazing Horse Facts).
Conclusion: What is the Largest Breed of Horses
As you found out there have been some remarkable horses that were truly giants in their time. Sampson, Brooklyn Supreme and Big Jake were huge horses but maybe there will be a new colt born that will be even larger one day. Draft horses are awe inspiring up close for their incredible size but what is even more amazing is how gentle and easy they are to work with.
I hope you enjoyed this post. What is your favorite heavy horse leave a comment below I’d love to hear from you! Please also save a pin to Pinterest, Thanks!
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Here are some other posts I think you will like Mini Horse Facts (they are amazing little horses), Mustang Horse 10 Special facts You Need to Know and How Much Does a Horse Weigh? (how to measure them the right way).
Have a great day, and come back soon I post new articles to help you learn more about horses regularly!
