Shire and other Draught Horses Equus ferus caballus

Shire Horses, also called Carthorses and Dray or Draught Horses, are extremely large, heavy and strong muscular horses bred for pulling heavy carts, barges, other loads and agricultural equipment (eg ploughs). They have exceptionally large, triangular and hairy fetlocks ("ankles" above the hooves).

Despite their immense size, weight and strength, they are mostly good natured and gentle giants.

The Cob is not a breed of horse or pony but a shape of working equid. It is stocky, muscular and with enlarged, hairy fetlocks and can be a small horse or large pony. It is used for its stability in riding over uneven countryside (eg fells) and often for pulling small carts, particularly as a "pony and trap" form of transport (above).

Cobs and Shires have also been used in wartime for hauling artillary, but the role has mostly been mechanised now.

"Did you know that "carthorse" is an anagram of "orchestra"?