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Breeding Shire Horses
We believe that our horses were designed by God to fit in a certain ecological niche. The closer we can come to reproducing those environmental factors on our farm, the more natural and successful the result is.
First, we need the right soils to grow the proper plants with the appropriate mineral mixture.. The most famous horse breeding areas (Kentucky, Ireland) are known for their high calcium soils. One of the features of our farm which we originally found attractive was the prevalence of Sugar Maple trees in the uplands and Northern White Cedar trees in the lowlands. Both of these species favor soils with a high calcium content. Calcium is one of the essential building blocks of bone growth which of course is so important in horses and especially draft horses.
Second, we need to allow a natural social structure to exist. Horses are a herd animal and learn social skills in an extended family group with a stallion, mares and other foals. Their exceptional socialization skills translate into a healthy interaction with you as their herd leader and companion.
Third, we need to select for type and soundness. Our stallion and mares are “built for comfort, not for speed”. Each of them is expected to work for a living as well as raise the next generation. Their legs are more massive than many of today’s draft horses and their body type more blocky. We believe that by selecting a sturdier workhorse type, fertility and long term fitness follow.
Finally, we need to select for temperament. As noted above our stallion and our mares are expected to spend time in harness. This results in keeping them both more physically fit and tractable. As a breeding operation we feel it is important for our buyers to see that the parents of the horse they are looking at actually work.
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