How tall is a Shire horse?

A Shire horse stands at least 17 hands (68 in, 172.7 cm) at the shoulder (stallion minimum).

A hand is 4 in (about 10 cm), and a horse is measured at the withers, the top of the shoulders.

What a Shire horse’s height measures

Polar bear: about 5 ft 7 in (170 cm).
Percheron: 16.2 to 17.3 hands (66 to 71 in, 168 to 180 cm).
Dromedary camel: 1.8 to 2.4 m (5 ft 11 in to 7 ft 10.5 in).

This is a published species or breed reference, not a prediction for an individual animal. Where a range is supplied, both ends appear with the reading. Shoulder height and head height are kept apart when comparing animals.

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Published heights

at least 17 hands (68 in, 172.7 cm)

A Shire horse stands at least 17 hands (68 in, 172.7 cm) at the shoulder (stallion minimum). The source gives 17 hands (173 cm).

Source: Shire Horse Society Australia

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about 17.2 hands (70 in, 177.8 cm)

A Shire horse stands about 17.2 hands (70 in, 177.8 cm) at the shoulder (stallion average). The source gives 17.2 hands (178 cm).

Source: Shire Horse Society Australia

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at least 16 hands (64 in, 162.6 cm)

A Shire horse stands at least 16 hands (64 in, 162.6 cm) at the shoulder (mare minimum). The source gives 16 hands (163 cm).

Source: Shire Horse Society Australia

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at least 16.2 hands (66 in, 167.6 cm)

A Shire horse stands at least 16.2 hands (66 in, 167.6 cm) at the shoulder (gelding minimum). The source gives 16.2 hands (168 cm).

Source: Shire Horse Society Australia

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Compared with a Shire horse

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Cite this page

APA	Heightvs. (2026, October 17). How tall is a Shire horse? At least 17 hands at the shoulder. https://heightvs.com/how-tall/shire-horse
MLA	“How Tall Is a Shire Horse? at Least 17 Hands at the Shoulder.” Heightvs, 17 Oct. 2026, heightvs.com/how-tall/shire-horse.
Chicago	“How Tall Is a Shire Horse? at Least 17 Hands at the Shoulder.” Heightvs. Last modified October 17, 2026. https://heightvs.com/how-tall/shire-horse.
Link	<a href="https://heightvs.com/how-tall/shire-horse">How tall is a Shire horse? At least 17 hands at the shoulder (Heightvs)</a>

For the height itself, cite the original publisher as well: Shire Horse Society Australia.

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A Shire horse, 5 ft 8 in (172.7 cm), drawn to scale beside a polar bear, 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)