American Shire Horse Education Foundation Dear Friends, It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce that the American Shire Horse Educational Foundation has been officially approved by the IRS as well as the state of California.  As you know the express purpose of the Foundation is to support the educational, charitable and scientific activities of the American Shire Horse Association.  From now on, any donations to the Foundation are tax-exempt as a 501(c)(3) organization. Soon the ASHA board will appoint the initial Foundation board in accordance with the By-Laws of the Foundation.  The Foundation board will consist of board members and regular members of the American Shire Horse Association. Now the work of raising funds for our Foundation begins and any ideas for fundraising are welcome as are or course donations. Again thank you for your support in the formation of this Foundation, but let us not forget to make it work for the benefit of our charge - The Shire Horse. I am looking forward to hearing from you and remain with the best regards, Heinz Naef Incorporator ASHEF Learn More...

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One of the largest horses in the world, the Shire originated in the 'Shires' of England and is a descendant of the Old English Black Horse whose ancestors were the 'great horses' of mediaeval times. 

It stands up to 19 hands, and may be bay, brown, black or grey in colour.  An immensely strong, big-barrelled horse, with long legs carrying much feather, it nevertheless has a fine head in comparison to its overall size. Despite its great size and strength (an average Shire will weigh 1 tonne and is capable of moving a 5-tonne load) it is the gentlest of beasts and is a good worker in agriculture and as an urban draught horse. 

With the ever increasing mechanization of the twentieth century, the Shire and other heavy breeds, could easily have been allowed to die out, but fortunately there has in recent times been a great revival of interest in these magnificent animals. No show classes are more popular with spectators than those for the 'heavies'. Shires still work the land in some parts of the country and several brewers use them to pull drays in the city streets.

Excerpt from Encyclopedia Of The Horse, published by Crescent Books

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