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Hi, I’m Farmer George, and today we’re taking a look at one of the hardest-working animals in history, the Shire Horse. The Livestock Conservancy - http://www.livestockconservancy.org/ Shires are a breed of draft horse, known for ploughing and farm labor. They’re also called ‘work horses’ or ‘heavy horses’, and you can see why - these guys are huge. The average Shire stands about 6 feet tall and weighs almost a ton. In fact, a gelding named Goliath was the Guinness Book of World Records record holder for the world’s tallest horse, measuring in at 19 hands. With all that size, the Shire became England’s go-to horse for heavy lifting. They carried knights in full armor into battle during medieval times, and pulled heavy artillery during the First and Second World War. They were also used for ploughing fields, hauling cargo, logging and forestry, pulling carriages, and most importantly...these majestic steeds pulled brewery wagons, delivering ale to thirsty customers. At the height of their popularity there were a millions of Shire horses worldwide. Unfortunately, their popularity didn’t last. They began to fall out of favor as advancements in mechanization led to a decline in their usefulness. Thousands of Shire horses were slaughtered to make way for trucks and tractors, and by the late 1950s they were nearly extinct. But it’s not all bad news. The Shire remains an endangered species, but over the past few decades breeders around the world have shown a renewed interest in the horse, and breed societies have opened in several countries with the intent of saving this majestic breed and preserving its incredible history. I visited Dala Kohler at the Kohler Farm to find out more.