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Shire Horse Pictures Biography

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Shire horse, a breed of draft horse native to central England. It is equal in weight to the Belgian horse and is usually slightly taller. Widely used as a war horse during the Middle Ages, it was well adapted to carry the excessive weight of armor worn by both horse and rider. The Shire was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s, but was never as popular as the Clydesdale or Percheron. It is similar in appearance to the former, with feathery fetlocks. It stands 17 hands (68 in./170 cm) high and normally exceeds 2,000 lb (900 kg).
ONE of the great Welsh breeders of Shire horses is profiled in a new biography.
“O’r Castell I’r Llys” tells the story of William Hugh Griffith, of Llys Farm, Brynrefail, who rose to become a top breeder, adjudicator and leading light of the British Shire Horse Society.
Better known as WH Griffith, he was born and brought up on Castell Farm in Pentir but moved to 36-acre Llys Farm in the 1950s, which he turned into a successful caravan site.
His Shires carried the Trem y Wyddfa prefix and in 1984 Jim’s Chance won the Horse of the Year Show, Wembley.
Five years later he was awarded the Sir Bryner Jones Memorial Prize at the 1989 Royal Welsh Show for his contribution to the development of the Shire horse. In the 1980s he was also NFU Mid Gwynedd county chairman.
The book traces his life at Castell and Llys farms, his time at the Madryn Agricultural College in Llyn, his memories of the Vaynol Estate – and his connection with Red Rum.
It was written by Canon Idris Thomas who recently retired after 36 years serving the parish of Llanaelhaearn. He has since moved to Llandinorwig.
A true "gentle giant", the Shire is renowned for its docile temperament and strong work ethic. From battlefield to farmland, this noble horse has been a well mannered servant and faithful companion. The Shire's great ancestors came from the "Old English Black Horse" of the central regions of England, counties commonly referred to as the "shires".
Though its ancestry dates back to the Great Horses of the Medieval era, its use throughout history is one of aiding in the civilization of modern man. In the twelfth century, these heavy cob type horses were used as warhorses. Being strong and docile they were well suited to carrying the three hundred or so pounds of a fully armored knight into battle. Then farmers found their worth, being able to pull farm equipment and clear marshlands.
As the industrial age embarked, Shire horses were the original breed used to pull carts to deliver ale from the breweries. They have also been used in the United Kingdom as ceremonial drum horses in many royal processions. The Drum Horses lead the Household Calvary, ridden by drummers who work the reins with their feet while holding drumsticks in their hands.

Shire Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013