Clark and Ollie live high life in Montana but number of Shire horses are falling across US

TWO’S COMPANY: Majestic half-brothers Clark, left and Ollie loving life down on the farm in the America’s ‘Treasure State’.

It's always good to hear from people across the world who, like us, believe in the importance of animals, particularly horses, mules and donkeys, and their welfare. 

Recently we were contacted by David Bauer, who says he stumbled across our website and was amazed to learn of the role that horses - particularly Shires - played in both world wars, and how many were lost in those conflicts. 

David and his family have a 10-acre hobby farm in Raymore, Montana, known in the US as ‘The Treasure State’, with three American Quarter Horses, one Appaloosa, one miniature horse, and two Shires who are his pride and joy.   

“My wife was on her first horse when she was three years old and has always been around horses,” he says. “When I met her I was intimidated by horses as I knew nothing about them. But I wanted to support her love of horses and she encouraged me to learn and explore. 

"I was drawn to Draft horses due to their size, stature and disposition.  I was leaning towards the Belgian horse when I stumbled upon a breeder in Nebraska named Clark Jensen who owned, Jensen Shires. We went and spent a day with Clark walking amongst a herd of 20 Shires where the feeling of grandeur and awe flooded our minds.

“The experience was so peaceful and calming that we had our answer to which breed to get. That day we picked out Clark and Ollie and, when they were five months old, they came to their new home. Now five years old, Clark and Ollie are half brothers and a month apart in age. Since they are a bonded pair, the thunder rolls, ground shakes and your heart pounds faster when you call them up for feeding. They are now 2300lbs and we would have a farm full of Shires if we could.  

“They enjoy their pasture and freedom to loaf around just being horses. They do, however, enjoy their sizable stalls during inclement weather. They are the kindest, most enjoyable breed of horse we have experienced and were drawn to their breed due to their kind and calm demeanor.

“These boys don’t have a mean bone in their body and during moments of high alert, size aside, they are extremely agile and confident. Their Sire is Jensen Diplomat Prince William out of Deighton Royal Diplomat from the UK. 

“It was an accident that I came upon your website. I am simple amazed and at awe for your organisation. Due to your effort in the UK we are proud and honoured to help keep the story of the Shire alive this side of the Atlantic.” 

• The first Shires were imported to the United States in 1853 primarily from England, with large numbers of horses arriving in the 1880s. The American Shire Horse Association was established in 1885 to register and promote the breed. There are around 3,000 Shires, according to the Association. While the breed is considered critical by The Livestock Conservancy due to low population numbers, the American Shire Horse Association maintains an active registry.