The Shire Horse Society is set to embark on a major
scientific project in 2026 aimed at helping
secure the future of one of
Britain’s most iconic native horse breeds.
Originating in England, particularly across the Midlands and Fenland regions, the Shire horse is renowned as a powerful draught breed with a history stretching back to the great horses of medieval England. Following the decline of heavy cavalry, Shires became indispensable to British agriculture and industry, ploughing heavy clay soils and hauling wagons, barges and brewery drays. The breed became a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution, serving farms, mills and breweries throughout the country.
Today, however, the breed faces significant challenges. The Shire horse is currently classified as “At Risk” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with official UK figures indicating a breeding population of fewer than 1,000 mares.
To help protect the breed’s future, the Shire Horse Society will work with genetics specialists at Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) to undertake a comprehensive genomic analysis of the UK Shire horse population. The project will be led by Dr Adam Varney, Senior Research Fellow at MTIF, alongside Dr Andy Dell, who has already worked closely with the Society on genetic management initiatives.
The study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the breed’s genetic makeup and evaluate the effectiveness of current pedigree-based breeding programmes. By examining the breed at a genomic level, researchers hope to identify both current and potential future genetic issues, enabling breeders to make more informed decisions and helping to ensure that future generations of Shires remain healthy, diverse and fit for purpose.
The Society has already adopted the SPARKS (Single Population and Records Keeping System) breeding support programme, which helps manage genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inbreeding. SPARKS calculates the relatedness of horses within the stud book and provides guidance on suitable mare and stallion pairings. While the system has proven valuable, genomic analysis offers a far more detailed picture of genetic diversity and health.
Managing inbreeding is particularly important in rare breeds, as loss of genetic diversity can lead to increased infertility, higher foal mortality, a greater risk of inherited disorders and reduced disease resistance. By combining pedigree information with modern genomic science, the Society hopes to strengthen long-term breeding strategies.
Similar genomic projects have already been successfully completed by the Eriskay Pony Society and the Cleveland Bay Horse Society, while the Suffolk Horse Society has recently begun its own programme.
Funded entirely through a generous legacy donation, the project is open to all owners of pure-bred Shire horses registered in the UK Shire Horse Society Stud Book. Mares, stallions and geldings of all ages are eligible to participate.
Collecting samples will be straightforward, requiring only a small hair sample. Testing kits, together with instructions, will be distributed directly to owners, who can either collect the samples themselves or ask their veterinarian to assist. Samples must be returned to the Society by 30 August 2026.
Once received, the DNA will be extracted and analysed by the NTU research team. Importantly, while samples identify individual horses during collection, all data will be anonymised before analysis. The project is designed to assess the breed as a whole, rather than individual animals.
The Shire Horse Society hopes that widespread participation will provide the most complete genetic picture possible. The findings are expected to play a vital role in shaping future breeding plans and ensuring that this historic British breed can thrive for generations to come.
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