A scale of points for the Shire horse breed has been drawn up by the Council of the Shire Horse Society.

Stallions

A fine example of a strong Shire Stallion should stand from 17.0 hands and weigh from 900 Kg when matured, without being overdone in condition. He should possess a masculine head and a good crest with sloping, not upright, shoulders running well into the back, which should be short and well coupled with the loins. The tail should be well set up and not what is known as “gooserumped”. Both head and tail should be carried erect. The ribs should be well sprung, not flat sided, with good middle which generally denotes good constitution. A Stallion should have good feet and joints; the feet should be wide and big around the top of the coronets with sufficient length in the pasterns. When in motion, he should go with force using both knees and hocks, the latter which should be kept close together, he should go straight and true before and behind. A good Stallion should have strong character.

Colour: Black, Brown, Bay or Grey. No large white patches over body.

Height: 17 hands+ at maturity.

Head: Long and lean with a long neck in proportion to the body.

Eyes: Large, well set and docile in expression. Wall eyes not acceptable.

Nose: Slightly Roman nostrils; thin and wide, lips together.

Ears: Long, lean, sharp and sensitive.

Throat: Clean cut and lean.

Shoulder: Deep and oblique, wide enough to support the collar.

Neck: Long, slightly arched, well set on to give the horse a commanding appearance.

Girth: From 183 – 244 cm in stallions of 16.2 – 18 hands.

Back: Short, strong and muscular. Should not be dipped or roached.

Loins: Standing well up, denoting good constitution. Must not be flat.

Hindquarters: Long and sweeping, wide and full of muscle, well let down towards the thighs.

Hind-Legs: Hocks should be not too far back and in line with the hind-quarters with ample width broadside and narrow in front. “Puffy” and “sickle” hocks should be avoided. The leg sinews should be clean cut and hard like fine cords to touch and clear of short cannon bone.

Fore-End: Wide across the chest, with legs well under the body and well enveloped in muscle, or action is impeded.

Ribs: Round, deep and well sprung, not flat.

Fore-Legs: Should be as straight as possible down to pastern.

Bone Measurement: Of flat bone 28 – 32 cm. Flat bone is heavier and stronger than spongy bone. Hocks must be broad, deep and flat and set at the correct angle for leverage.

Feet: Deep, solid and wide, with thick open walls. Coronets should be hard and sinewy with substance.

Hair: Not too much, fine straight and silky.

Mares

A Mare should be on the quality side, long and deep with free action, of a feminine and matronly appearance, standing from 16 hands on short legs. She should have plenty of room to carry her foal.

Colour: Black, Brown, Bay, Grey or Roan

Height: 16 hands upwards.

Head: Long and lean, neither too large nor too small, long neck in proportion to the body, of feminine appearance.

Eyes: Large, well set and docile in expression. Wall eyes are acceptable except for animals Grade A and B register.

Neck: Long and slightly arched and not of masculine appearance.

Girth: 152 – 214 cm at maturity, according to size and age of animal.

Back: Strong and in some instances longer than a male.

Legs: Short, with short cannons.

Bone Measurement: 23 – 28 cm of flat bone, with clean cut sinews.

Geldings

A Gelding should be upstanding, thick, well-balanced and very active. He should be full of courage and should look like he is able to do a full days work. Geldings weigh from 850 kgs.

Colour: Black, Brown, Bay, Grey or Roan

Height: 16.2 hands upwards.

Girth: From 183 – 229 cm.

Bone Measurement: 23 – 26 cm under knee, slightly more under-hock and broadside on, of flat hard quality.