Largest Horse Breed Holds World Record for Over 175 Years

The biggest horse ever measured was a Shire horse originally named Sampson and later renamed Mammoth. Rachel Husband / Getty Images

The world's largest horse breed varieties have evolved in step with the humans who domesticated and cared for them. Each ancient breed of large horses was selected for specific traits; some large breeds of war horses were fearless companions in battle. In contrast, carriage horses and riding horses were prized for their elegant appearance and easygoing temperament.

Some of the most treasured heavy horses were bred for farm work rather than battle or pleasure riding. For instance, Australian Draught horses helped accomplish vital agricultural work in the early days of Australia, as well as overtime work like towing barges and pulling the family wagon from town to town.

The following list includes some of the world's biggest horse breeds. Some are known for their muscular body types and incredible pulling power for heavy loads, while other breeds are prized for the impressive size of their wide chest and towering height measured in "hands" (4 inches or 10cm ).

Contents

Shire Horse (18 to 21 hands)
Clydesdale (18 to 20 hands)
Belgian Draft (17 to 18 hands)
Percheron (16 to 17 hands)
Dutch Draft (16 hands, but heavier than other draft horses)
Suffolk Punch (16 hands)
American Cream Draft (15 to 16 hands)

1. Shire Horse (18 to 21 hands)

The largest and tallest horse on record was a Shire gelding called Sampson (later renamed Mammoth), who measured 21.5 hands and nearly 3,000 pounds (1360 kg) in 1846. Most Shire horses are generally shorter, but Mammoth's long reign in the world records earns his breed that top spot of "biggest horse."

2. Clydesdale (18 to 20 hands)

Any American football fan could recognize these gentle giants from the iconic Budweiser Superbowl ads in a heartbeat. Everyone else can easily identify Clydesdale horses by their giant size and feathered hooves that resemble large white socks.

3. Belgian Draft (17 to 18 hands)

Belgian Drafts are some of the hardest-working horse breeds on this list. The Belgian draft horse is also easy to spot, thanks to its generally energetic nature and feathered legs, similar to Clydesdales.

Big Jake and Brooklyn Supreme are some of the tallest Belgian draft horses in history, measuring an astounding 20 and 19 hands, respectively.

4. Percheron (16 to 17 hands)

Although their origins are unknown, Percheron horses are named for their first recorded appearance in the Perch Region of France during the 17th century C.E.

These black and gray contenders for the biggest horses are famous for their strong, wide-neck build and impressive stamina, making them excellent farm work companions.

5. Dutch Draft (16 hands, but heavier than other draft horses)

Dutch draft horses were developed between World Wars I and II by crossbreeding Zeeland horses with top draft breeds from Belgium. Sadly, this is yet another breed of horse that saw a severe population dip following the mechanization of agriculture, with likely just over a thousand specimens existing in 2009.

6. Suffolk Punch (16 hands)

Suffolk punch horses, the grandsire of American Suffolk punches, are some of the oldest breeds developed in Great Britain sometime during the 16th Century C.E.

Thanks to their short legs and stability in the muddy, swampy terrain of the British Isles, they were well suited for draught work, forestry and farm work.

7. American Cream Draft (15 to 16 hands)

American Cream Draft horses hail from Iowa, where they were named after their distinctive creamy-tan coats. This rare breed witnessed a sharp decline with advancements in farm work technologies, although they still pull their weight in horse shows.