At Willowbrook, my biggest horse is a 16.2-hand Cob cross Shire gelding called Batman. People often remark on his size, but even he is small when compared to some of the following truly giant horses.
Some horses throughout history have stood over 20 hands high, becoming legends not just for their size but for the impact they’ve made. In honor of these horses, I’ve listed the top five biggest horses in history, along with their stats, photos, and details of their incredible lives.
Note: The official height of the horses below is taken from the ground to the top of their withers (the highest point on a horse’s back). This is the official way of measuring a horse’s height. However, they are even taller if you measure to the top of their ears.
5. Sovereign – 20.25 hh & 1,089 kg
In the rolling hills of Staffordshire, England, a once-malnourished foal named Sovereign has risen to become Britain’s tallest horse. Standing at an incredible 20.6 hands high (6 feet 10 inches / 2.08 meters) and weighing 1,089 kg, Sovereign is a majestic Shire horse who overcame immense adversity to reach his full potential.
Sovereign’s story began in tragedy. Rescued by Paul Evans from a neglected state in a tiny cow shed, the four-year-old horse had been severely underweight and filthy. Paul, a father of two who runs a horse carriage business, paid just £200 for him – a price usually reserved for horses destined for the knacker’s yard. However, Paul saw something special in Sovereign’s eyes, a glimmer of hope despite his years of abuse.
Through care, patience, and a lot of love, Sovereign thrived under Paul’s guardianship. Today, he shares a 10-acre paddock with other Shire horses and a spirited Shetland pony named Grace, who affectionately grooms his towering legs. Sovereign consumes about eight kilos of hay and corn daily to maintain his immense size.
Sovereign’s journey from neglect to becoming Britain’s biggest horse is a story of recovery, care, and the incredible trust that animals can rebuild despite past traumas. As Paul said, “To see him now is just amazing – I never would have believed he’d grow into such a gentle and magnificent Shire horse. His ability to trust after his abuse is measured only by his actual size.”
4. Poe – 20.2 hh & 1,179 kg
On a farm in Tupperville, Ontario, Poe, a Belgian Draft horse, stands at an incredible 20.2 hands (6 feet 10 inches / 2.08 meters) at the withers, making him one of the tallest horses in the world. Weighing 200 stone (2,800 pounds / 1,270 kg), Poe’s immense size is matched by his gentle nature.
With his head held high, Poe reaches an impressive 10 feet (to the top of ears, both withers), a sight that never fails to amaze those who meet him. He consumes two bales of hay a day, 10 pounds of grain, and requires 75 gallons of water to maintain his tremendous size.
Despite his imposing stature, Poe has the temperament of a gentle giant, earning a reputation for being as playful as a puppy, even though he sometimes forgets his strength and playfully drags Shereen along when he’s in a lively mood.
Poe’s journey to fame began in 2008 when Shereen rescued him. Named after her favorite writer, Edgar Allan Poe, this mighty horse had a humble start working in the city of London, Ontario, where he hauled crates of Budweiser, much like the iconic draft horses in London, England. But life on Shereen’s farm has been a new chapter for Poe, who has become a beloved attraction at local fairs and events, where his calm demeanor and playful antics delight onlookers.
Though Poe is a firm favorite in the community, Shereen never lets his size distract from his sweet nature. “He’s like a real puppy,” she fondly recalls, even as he playfully tugs her along during their time together.
3. Big Jake – 20.275 hh & 1,179 kg
In the tranquil fields of Wisconsin, a gentle giant named Big Jake captured the hearts of all who crossed his path. Born in March 2001, Big Jake, a Belgian Draft horse, stood at an astonishing 20 hands 2.75 inches tall (6 feet 10.75 inches / 2.10 meters) and weighed an impressive 2,600 pounds (1,179 kg).
Recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2010 as the tallest living horse, Big Jake was much more than a record-holder – he was the heart of Smokey Hollow Farm, owned by Jerry Gilbert and his family.
Big Jake’s towering size came with a grand appetite, requiring two full buckets of grain and an entire bale of hay every day. His stall, significantly larger than the average, was specially designed to accommodate his massive frame.
Despite his imposing size, Jake was known for his gentle nature, greeting visitors with a friendly nuzzle and an air of calmness. Children who met him were often awestruck, their eyes wide as the enormous horse lowered his head so they could stroke his nose.
Sadly, Big Jake passed away in June 2021 at the age of 20. His family, still heartbroken by the loss, has memorialized him by leaving his stall empty and placing a brick outside with his picture and name – a quiet tribute to the incredible animal who brought so much joy to their lives.
Reflecting on his passing, the Gilberts shared, “It is with a heavy heart we share the passing of Big Jake. Big Jake was much more than a world record holder. He was a central part of our family.”
Big Jake’s legacy lives on, not only in the record books but also in the memories of those who met him. He reminded the world that true greatness isn’t only in stature but in the gentle and kind spirit that he embodied.
See a video below of Big Jake and his owner:
2. Brooklyn Supreme – 19.2 hh & 1,451 kg
Travel back with me to the 1920s, to a farm near Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a purebred Belgian Draft foal named Brooklyn Supreme was born on April 12, 1928. From the moment he stood on his spindly legs, it was clear he was destined for greatness. Reaching 19.2 hands high (6 feet 4 inches or 1.98 meters) and weighing an incredible 3,200 lbs (1,451 kg), Brooklyn Supreme became one of the heaviest horses on record.
Affectionately called “Brookie”, he was a beautiful red roan color with a flaxen mane and tail. But it wasn’t just his size and appearance that made him special; it was his personality.
Owned by Charles Grant Good and his partner Ralph M. Fogleman, Brooklyn Supreme was a star attraction. The duo toured him across the United States, charging just 10 cents for people to see this magnificent creature. Crowds gathered to marvel at his enormity and experience his gentle demeanor.
Children adored him. An old newspaper clipping fondly recalls how “Brooklyn Supreme may be 3,200 pounds of solid, magnificent horse flesh, sinew, and brawn, but he is a surprisingly gentle fellow whose greatest delight is stealing ice cream cones and goodies from unsuspecting little boys and girls” (Source: Horse & Man). His playful antics and kind eyes made him a beloved figure wherever he went.
Not only was he a fair attraction, but he also earned the title of “Grand Champion of his breed” at several state fairs, showcasing his size and excellent conformation and temperament.
Brooklyn Supreme’s physical characteristics were extraordinary. His hooves were the size of dinner plates, and his farrier required an iron bar 30 inches (76 cm) long to craft a single horseshoe.
Yet, despite his colossal presence, he was as approachable as any family pony. His life reminds us that true strength lies not just in muscle but in the capacity to bring joy to others.
1. Sampson (Mammoth) – 21.25 hh & 1,524 kg
Imagine standing beside a horse so towering that your eyes meet his shoulders, and you have to tilt your head all the way back just to glimpse his gentle gaze. This was the reality for those who encountered Sampson, later renamed “Mammoth,” who is the biggest horse ever recorded.
Born in 1846 and bred by Thomas Cleaver in Toddington Mills, Bedfordshire, England, Sampson was a Shire horse who grew to an astonishing size. He was 21.25 hands high (7 feet 2 inches or 2.19 meters) and weighed an estimated 3,360 lbs (1,524 kg).
While detailed records of his daily life are scarce, Sampson’s legacy endures as a benchmark of equine grandeur. His remarkable stature continues to fascinate horse enthusiasts and serves as a historical example of the Shire breed’s potential.
Also, read our guide on the biggest horse breeds.
