What is the tallest horse in the world? Top 10 tallest horses in the world

What is the tallest horse in the world? Top 10 tallest horses in the world

The horse is one of two existing subspecies of Equus ferus and is classified as a member of the taxonomic family Equidae. Humans have carefully bred horses to develop bigger and stronger varieties. As a result, a few horses have become extremely tall and hefty. What is the tallest horse in the world?

tallest horse in the world
The Jutland(L), Boulonnais, and Australian draught horses (R). Photo: @fruholm7777, @world_focus_photography, @horsesandstyles on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Horses come in hundreds of sizes and shapes worldwide, but some are unquestionably bigger and heavier than others. The most giant and potent horse breeds are carthorses. They are widely utilised for farm labour and transportation due to their legendary strength and pulling ability.

What is the tallest horse in the world?

Horses are measured tallest at the place where the neck and back connect, which is also known as the withers. This position is utilised because, in contrast to the neck and head, which move up and down per the horse's body, it is a point of stability in the anatomy. Here are the top 10 tallest horses in the world.

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The list is inspired by the tallest horse horses in the world as provided by various sources across the web. This list is subjective and not decisive.

1. The Shire – 16 to 21.25 hands (1.6 to 2.19 metres)

tallest horse in the world
Ladies are riding Shire horses. Photo: @melsbeth_faltinowski, @horseillha on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Shire is a draught horse breed from the United Kingdom. It is often bay, black, or grey. Shires are tall and have held world records for the largest and tallest horse at various periods. The Shire has a high weight-pulling capacity.

The giant horse in historical records was a Shire gelding called Mammoth or Sampson. He was born in Bedfordshire in 1846. One of the largest horses in the world, Sampson was over 219 centimetres or 86 inches tall and weighed approximately 1524 kilogrammes or 3360 pounds.

2. Clydesdale horse – 16 to 18 hands (1.6 to 1.8 metres)

The Clydesdale is a draught horse breed from Scotland. It is a massive and robust horse; however, it is less hefty than it formerly was. It was previously utilised for draught power in agriculture and road transport. It is now mainly used as a carriage horse.

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The Clydesdale now stands 162 to 183 centimetres or 63 to 72 inches tall and weighs 820 to 910 kilograms or 1808 to 2006 pounds. Some adult males are bigger, growing taller than 183 centimetres and weighing up to 1000 kilograms or 2200 pounds. The breed features a straight facial profile, a small Roman nose, a prominent forehead, and a broad snout.

3. Percheron –15 to 19 hands (1.6 to 1.8 metres)

tallest horse in the world
The Percheron horses are standing. Photo: @the_dutchman_farms, @percherones_lopezmalo on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Percheron is a draft horse breed that developed in the Huisne River valley in western France, a portion of the ancient Perche region, from which the breed got its name. Percherons are well-muscled, grey or black, and recognised for their intelligence and desire to work.

The optimal size for the Percheron varies from country to country. In France, for example, height ranges between 15.1 to 18.1 hands, that is, 61 to 73 inches or 155 to 185 centimetres and weighs anywhere from 1,100 to 2,600 pounds or 499 to 1179 kilogrammes.

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4. Belgian Draft – 16 to 18 hands (1.6 to 1.8 metres)

The Belgian Draft is a draught horse breed from Belgium. It originated in the Low Countries territory, now central Belgium, and it is also known as the Brabant after the old Province of Brabant in that area.

Belgian Draught is a vast, tall, and strong horse. Height at the withers is typically between 163 and 173 centimetres, with mares averaging 164 centimetres and stallions averaging 168 centimetres. Average weights for mares are around 700 kilogrammes, and stallions are around 900 kilogrammes.

5. Suffolk Punch – 16.1 to 18 hands (1.7 to 1.8 metres)

tallest horse in the world
A man is riding a Suffolk Punch horse (L), and a black man is posing with a Suffolk Punch horse (R). Photo: @koleba.j, @jimmysfarmhq on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Suffolk Horse is a kind of draught horse native to England. It's a big draught horse that's always chestnut in hue. Suffolk Punches stand 165 to 178 centimetres or 16.1 to 17.8 hands (900 to 1000 kilogrammes or 1984 to 2200 pounds) and are invariably chestnut in hue.

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6. Australian Draught – 16 to 17.3 hands (1.6 to 1.7 metres)

tallest horse in the world
A lady is riding an Australian draught horse (L), and another is standing on plain ground (R). Photo: @discoverthehorsequest, @montana.haywood on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Australian Draught is a tough horse known for its power and disposition. It is available in all solid colours and is between 16.2 and 17.2 hands tall on average. These horses usually weigh between 1,300 and 1,900 pounds or 590 and 862 kilogrammes.

7. Dutch Draft – 15 to 17 hands (1.5 to 1.7 metres)

The Dutch Draft is a hefty draft horse breed from the Netherlands. It is a cold-blooded breed with a massive build, calm disposition and high stamina. Its height is between 155 and 170 centimetres, and its weight is between 700 and 750 kilogrammes.

8. Boulonnais –14.3 to 16.3 hands (1.5 to 1.63 metres)

tallest horse in the world
A person is riding a white Boulonnais draft horse (L), and a white Boulonnais stands next to a wooden house (R). Photo: @boulonnaisofsweden, @louisenhof on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Boulonnais is a draft horse. It is recognised for its vast yet beautiful look and is mainly grey. However, the French breed registry allows chestnut and black. Today, the Boulonnais can reach 14.3 to 16.3 hands (59 to 67 inches, 150 to 170 centimetres) or more.

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It has a small, graceful head, broad brow, and short, muscular neck. The breed's members have large chests, rounded rib cages, and slanted shoulders. The legs are short yet sturdy and robust.

9. American Cream Draft –15 to 16.3 hands (1.5 to 1.63 metres)

The American Cream Draft is a draft horse breed from the United States distinguished by its cream or "gold champagne" coat colour. It was created in Iowa at the beginning of the 20th century from a cream-coloured horse called Old Granny.

Mares stand 15 to 16 hands (60 to 64 inches, 152 to 163 centimetres) tall and weigh 1500 to1600 pounds (680 to 727 kilogrammes), whereas stallions and geldings stand 16 to 16.3 hands (64 to 67 inches, 163 to 170 centimetres) or more.

10. The Jutland horse –15 to 16.1 hands (1.5 to 1.61 metres)

tallest horse in the world
Two Jutland horses (L), a lady is riding a Jutland horse (R). Photo: @panimohevoset, @discoverthehorsequest on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Jutland horse is a draft horse breed that originated in Denmark. They are a small, muscular breed with a calm and agreeable temperament that is often chestnut. The Jutland is usually chestnut, although it may also be bay, grey, black, or roan, with white markings.

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They often stand 15 to 16.1 hands (60 to 65 inches, 152 to 165 centimetres) tall and weigh 1,430 to 1,760 pounds (649 to 798 kilogrammes).

What is the world's tallest horse?

Shire gelding, called Mammoth or Sampson, was the world's tallest horse. How tall is the tallest horse in the world? The Bedfordshire's Shire gelding horse stood 21.25 hands tall, 2.19 metres (7 feet 2.5 inches) at the withers and weighed approximately 3359 pounds or 1524 kilogrammes.

What are the five biggest horse races in the world?

Some of the biggest horse races in the world include the Kentucky Derby, Breeder's Cup Classic, Gold Cup At Ascot, Dubai World Cup and Preakness Stakes.

What is the tallest horse in the world? Above are some of the tallest horses in the world. The world's tallest horse breeds are genuinely magnificent animals. They are powerful, strong creatures that may be a delight to own and ride.

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Authors:
Tatiana Thiga avatar

Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com