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Discover The 10 Largest & Most Beautiful Horse Breeds

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Author Arwen Kent, Bachelor of Science

White shire horse gallops through a meadow.
White shire horse gallops through a meadow. Image by vikarus via Depositphotos.

Horses come in all shapes and sizes, but some stand out for their sheer size and strength. The largest horse breeds are often used for heavy work, like pulling loads or farming, but they also captivate with their impressive stature. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 largest horse breeds, showcasing their unique traits and what makes each one special!

Shire Horse

White and black shire horse in a green field.
White and black Shire horse in a green field. Image by Wirestock via Depositphotos.

The Shire is the largest horse breed in the world. Originally from England, these horses are known for their strength and gentle nature. Consequently, they can reach heights of over 17 hands and weigh up to 2,000 pounds!

Clydesdale

Clydesdale horse galloping through the field.
Clydesdale horse galloping through the field. Image by BalooElf via Depositphotos.

Clydesdales are famous for their beauty and size, often featured in parades and commercials. Originating in Scotland, these horses stand around 16-18 hands high. Their distinct feathered legs and calm temperament make them a popular choice for show and farm work. As a Scottish native, I am particularly fond of this breed of horse.

Percheron

Percheron Draft Horse in the grass.
Percheron Draft Horse in the grass. Image by slowmotiongli via Depositphotos.

The Percheron is a French draft horse breed known for its power and endurance. These horses are slightly smaller than Shires but still reach impressive heights of 15-19 hands. Additionally, Percherons are often used in logging and farming due to their strong work ethic. To me, these horses look like something out of a fantasy novel.

Belgian Draft Horse

A belgian draft horse in the mist.
A Belgian Draft horse in the mist. Image by okiepony via Depositphotos.

Belgian Draft horses are one of the heaviest breeds, with some weighing over 2,000 pounds. Originally bred for agricultural work, these gentle giants are also used in pulling competitions. Moreover, they are known for their muscular build and easy-going personality, so they are considered gentle giants.

Suffolk Punch

A rare breed Suffolk Punch foal in a paddock with its mother.
A rare breed Suffolk Punch foal in a paddock with its mother. Image by nigelb10 via Depositphotos.

The Suffolk Punch is a British breed, known for its compact yet powerful build. Though shorter than some other draft breeds, they are incredibly strong and stand around 16-17 hands. Furthermore, these horses are prized for their stamina and were traditionally used in farming in the English countryside.

Dutch Draft

Dutch Draft horse grazing in a meadow in spring.
Dutch Draft horse grazing in a meadow in spring. Image by Intel.nl via Depositphotos.

The Dutch Draft horse is a rare and powerful breed from the Netherlands. Standing around 15-17 hands, these horses are muscular and built for heavy farm work. Despite their strength, Dutch Drafts are known for their calm and friendly nature and make good companions for horse enthusiasts.

American Cream Draft

Rare American cream draft horse.
Rare American cream draft horse. Image by Jean, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

This unique breed stands out due to its beautiful cream-colored coat that gives the horse its name. American Cream Draft horses are slightly smaller than some other large breeds, averaging around 15-16 hands. However, they are most known for their striking appearance and gentle disposition. Surprisingly there are only about 500 of these horses in the world, and that is the highest the population has ever been!

Jutland

Two Jutland horses.
Two Jutland horses. Image by Malene Thyssen, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

The Jutland horse hails from Denmark and is known for its calm and hardworking nature. These horses are typically around 15-16 hands and were once used heavily in agriculture in their country of origin. Today, they are still valued for their strength and reliability in pulling carts and wagons. I really love the leg warmer look of these horses’ legs!

Russian Heavy Draft

Russian heavy draft horse in the snow.
Russian heavy draft horse in the snow. Image by vikarus via Depositphotos.

The Russian Heavy Draft is a compact yet strong breed developed in Russia. Standing around 14-15 hands, they are smaller than some draft breeds but make up for it in strength. In fact, packing in all that muscle makes them very strong pound for pound. These horses are still used for farming and heavy labor in many rural areas today!

Ardennes

Ardenese horse standing on dry grass.
Ardennes horse standing on dry grass. Image by slowmotiongli via Depositphotos.

The Ardennes is one of the oldest draft horse breeds, originating from the Ardennes region in France and Belgium. Specifically, these horses are stocky and powerful, typically standing between 15-16 hands. Additionally, ardennes horses are still used for agricultural work and pulling heavy loads. This horse is like the grandfather of modern draft horses.

Why Size Matters in Horse Breeds

Clydesdale horses are very large and heavy and can pull great weights.
Clydesdale horses are very large and heavy and can pull great weights. Image by markrhiggins via Depositphotos.

Larger horse breeds were historically bred for heavy tasks that smaller horses could not handle, such as pulling loads and working on farms. While many large horse breeds were once used primarily for farming, their roles have expanded over time. Today, they are often featured in shows, competitions, and even used for therapeutic riding.

Conclusion

Dappled grey percheron horse galloping.
Dappled grey percheron horse galloping. Image by horsemen via Depositphotos.

These massive horse breeds showcase the impressive strength and size that horses can achieve. Whether used for heavy labor or admired for their beauty, these horses have earned their place in history. From the towering Shire to the hardworking Ardennes, these breeds continue to amaze horse enthusiasts around the world!

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