While the average height of a horse ranges between around 55-71 inches, Sampson was no average horse — growing to over 3,000 lbs and 7 feet tall by the time he was four years old.Shire is a breed of horses that is particularly large; however, it is not the only breed that can grow to enormous sizes.

Discovering the amazing world of horses

Average Size of a Horse

The Biggest Horse in the World

Why are Horses Measured in Hands?

The Shire Horse and Other Large Horse Breeds

The Suffolk Punch

Clydesdale

Belgian Horse

Percheron Horse

Characteristics and Abilities of Draft Horses

Other Famously Huge Horses

Morocco was the name of a Percheron-Arabian horse, who measured 21.2 hands in height and weighed 2,835 pounds. Morocco was a popular horse, appearing at St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. In addition, he was known as a gentle and fun-loving horse, attracting many women and children.Big Jake was a Belgian horse from Poynette, Wisconsin. He had a height of 20 hands, and he held the Guinness World Record for the tallest living horse until his death in June of 2021.King LeGear is a Clydesdale that measured 20.5 hands in height and weighed 2,950 pounds when he was seven years old. King LeGear was named after his owner, Dr. L.D. LeGear, who lived in St. Louis, Missouri.Dr. LeGear, not to be confused with King LeGear, was owned by Dr. L.D. LeGear, too. Dr. LeGear was a Percheron horse, who shared his name with his owner. This horse weighed 2,995 pounds and measured 21 hands in height.

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A horse’s height is measured by hands, a unit equivalent to four inches. A height of a horse can be determined by measuring from the ground next to the hooves of the horse up to its withers. Which horse breeds are the largest? The largest horse breeds are Shire, Clydesdale, Belgian, and Percheron horses. Can you ride large draft horses? Some large draft horses are suitable for riding and working. Be careful, though, because mounting a tall horse can be a difficult task!