The Shire Horse more likely originates from a heavy cold blooded horse, who was brought into England after the Norman Conquest. From this heavy breed the “English Great Horse” of the Middle Ages was developed. Later, in the 18th century, the Shire horses were developed in the United Kingdom to be both warhorses and working horses. The breed has been used in both the cavalry and carriage industries for hundreds of years and it is still highly popular today.