World's largest horses and their breeds

Horses are very popular animals and have been ideal comrades and helpers to humans for centuries, playing key roles in agriculture, transportation and warfare.

Among the various existing equine breeds, more than 86 worldwide, some stand out for their impressive size and strength. In this article, we will explore the world's largest horses and the breeds that have made them true wonders of nature.

Poe Horse. Clydesdale Breed

Currently, and as we can confirm in the Guinness Book of Records, the Poe horse is the largest horse in the world today. Poe resides on a farm in Canada, stands just over 205 cm tall and weighs almost a ton and a half.

Poe's owner, Shereen Thompson, says her horse eats 2 bales of hay per day, 4.5 kg of grain feed and drinks more than 200 liters of water per day. This horse belongs to the clydesdale breed, a breed of Scottish origin and famous for its lush coat. These horses are generally quite hardy and durable.

They usually have an average height of between 1.70 and 1.80 meters and weigh around 900 to 1,000 kilograms, making them one of the largest breeds in the world.

Horse Big Jake. Belgian Breed

The Belgian breed or also known as Brabant is another of the largest horses in the world. Before the Poe Horse, it was the Belgian breed Big Jake that held the title of the largest horse in the world in the Guinness World Record book. This horse died 2 years ago, in July 2021.

Big Jake is a Belgian horse with a height of 210.19 cm and a weight of 1,133 kg. He was born in 2001 in Nebraska and in January 2010 he was recognized as the tallest horse in the world.

This breed, as its name suggests, originates from Belgium. They are strong and vigorous horses, which are normally used for agricultural work, as these are tasks that require considerable power. That is why the Belgian breed is one of the heavy draft breeds. Generally, they have heights averaging 1.60 and 1.70 meters and a weight of 800 to 1,000 kilograms.

These animals can drink between 25 and 55 liters of water per day. And despite their large size, they are very docile and calm. Unlike other large horses, Belgians have a small head and a short neck.

Special mention to a Belgian mare that has recently become known and is considered by many as one of the strongest, we are talking about the mare Petra.

Sampson Horse. Shire Breed

Long before Poe and Big Jake, there was Sampson. We are talking about a horse that was bred in the last century, specifically in 1846 at Toddington Mills, Bedfordshire, UK.

Sampson measured 2.19m and weighed a ton and a half, so even though he is not currently active, he is still the largest horse in the world. It is only natural that he is one of the tallest, being of the Shire breed. Many consider that the Shire breed, originally from Great Britain, is the one that occupies the first place in the ranking of the largest horse in the world.

These horses measure between 1.60 and 1.90 meters in height, and weigh between 800 and 1000 kilos. Their hair is generally solid-colored, such as black, brown or gray. Despite their large size, Shires are known for their gentle and calm nature, which makes them valued companions for a variety of tasks. At one time, especially in the past, they were used to pull heavy loads. Today, however, they are mainly used for leisure and show.

Percheron Breed

Originally from France, Percheron horses are one of the most powerful breeds in existence. They are the result of a mixture of local French horses and Arabian blood.

Known for their imposing musculature and enormous strength, they have traditionally been used for agricultural and heavy draft work. Specifically, in the United States, this breed was also used as a draft horse during World War II.

They can reach heights of between 1.70 and 1.90 meters with an average weight of 900 to 1,200 kilograms. Their coat is traditionally black to gray, they have a large head, muscular legs and very hard hooves. Like the other breeds, they have a docile character, very easy to teach and hard-working, so they can be found on farms, but also in parades or fairs as they participate in equestrian shows.

Friesian breed

Friesian horses originate from the Netherlands, specifically from the province of Friesland.

This breed is known for its imposing appearance and its coat is long and abundant (especially on its legs) black in color, although there are also some specimens that may have white markings. They have a compact, muscular and well-proportioned body, with a strong, straight back.

The average height of a Friesian is between 1.60 and 1.70 meters and its weight can vary between 600 and 800 kilograms. Once upon a time, the breed was on the verge of extinction, but managed to recover thanks to the new interest in its racing ability, which fostered a considerable increase in the breeding of this horse.

These are just some of the largest horse breeds in the world, each with their own unique characteristics and contributions to equestrian history and culture. Their imposing size and dedication to work have made them invaluable to various industries and a source of awe and admiration for horse lovers around the world.