World's tallest living horse based in Towcester 'still growing'

A Shire horse that has entered the record books as the world's tallest living horse could exceed his height as he is still growing, his owner has said.

Hugo, who lives in Towcester, Northamptonshire, has already reached an "abnormal" 199cm tall, about 6.5ft to the withers or ridge at the base of the neck.

Guinness World Records said the four-year-old's stature was officially assessed by a vet and he was measured without shoes to ensure an accurate result.

Owner Brett Masters said Hugo received "a huge amount of care" from a chiropractor, dentist, vet and masseuse, meaning he lived a "five-star lifestyle".

Shire horses are known for their height and their large stature means they are able to pull heavy weight, which is why they have been historically used as working horses on farms and for transport.

The tallest and heaviest horse ever documented was a Shire gelding named Sampson, who was later renamed Mammoth - bred by Thomas Cleaver of Toddington Mills in Bedfordshire, which stood at 2.19 metres - or 7ft 2.5 in - in 1850.

Masters, from Tove Valley Shire Horses, said the breed was his passion.

He was approached by officials from Guinness World Records as Hugo was "locally famous", and they had been told: "There is this really big horse, you need to speak to these guys."

Masters said that when he acquired Hugo - at the age of 18 months - he had no idea he was "very tall, abnormally tall".

"He's still got three years of growing left, he won't stop until he's about eight and a half, he's only a baby," he said.

"It will cause issues, so we have to be very careful with him.

"He has a chiropractor, has regular massages, the dentist visits every six months, and the vet checks him all the time as his growing plates are hyperactive.

"He has lots of supplements and a careful feed regime.

"He lives a five-star lifestyle, he wants for nothing."

Masters added: "Every time he goes out, people stop, they film him, shout at you that 'he's massive'.

"He's the kindest, most gentle kind of horse."

He said he did not receive any form of payment for his official recognition, but joked: "If any carrot farmer wants to give him some carrots, he'd kindly have them."

Hugo is kept busy by taking part in demonstrations and showing people what shire horses would have done "back in the day, by pulling agricultural implements, driving wagons", and is now learning to have people ride him.

"He's very happy, and he just loves a good fuss," Masters added.

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