Some horses stand tall, while others tower like giants. But every so often, one shows up that makes the rest look like ponies.
In this blog, we’re counting down the tallest of the tall horses ever measured. Some made the news, and others just stopped traffic at the farm gate.
Every single one of them is unforgettable. You’ll meet horses taller than NBA stars and heavier than your car.
Ready to feel small? Read on to meet the giants.
Tallest Horse in the World: Key Takeaway
The tallest horse ever recorded was a Shire gelding named Sampson, also called Mammoth. Foaled in England in 1846, he stood 21.25 hands (7 feet 2.5 inches) tall and weighed around 3,360 pounds (1,524 kg). No horse in history has grown taller than Sampson to this day.
Which Horse Holds the Record of the Tallest Horse in the World?
The tallest horse ever recorded was a Shire gelding named Sampson, later called Mammoth.
He was born in 1846 in Toddington Mills, Bedfordshire, England.
Sampson grew to an incredible height of 21.25 hands, that’s 7 feet 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder. No horse in history has beaten that.
He was bred by a man named Thomas Cleaver. As a Shire, Sampson had a strong build, thick legs, and long hair on his lower legs.
He weighed around 3,360 pounds. That’s heavier than a small car. Despite his size, he had a calm and gentle nature.
Shires were bred to pull heavy loads, but Sampson was so big, he became more of a local legend than a working horse.
There are no clear records of what caused his death, but it likely came from natural causes. He died sometime in the 1850s.
Though he lived long ago, Sampson’s record still stands today. Even Big Jake, the more recent record holder, didn’t reach his height.
Sampson remains one of the most famous horses in history. His size, strength, and gentle spirit made him truly one of a kind.
The Recent Tallest Horse in the World
The most recent horse to hold the title of the tallest living horse in the world was Big Jake, a Belgian draft gelding born in March 2001 in Nebraska, USA.
He was owned by Jerry Gilbert and lived at Smokey Hollow Farm in Poynette, Wisconsin.
In 2010, Guinness World Records officially measured him at 20 hands 2.75 inches tall (that’s about 6 feet 10.8 inches at the shoulder).
Weighing over 2,500 pounds, Big Jake ate around one and a half bales of hay and 32 quarts of oats each day.
Despite his massive size, he was gentle, playful, and loved attention. He often charmed visitors with his calm presence and affection for grooming.
Big Jake remained the record-holder until his death in June 2021 at the age of 20. Since then, no other horse has officially taken the title, and Guinness World Records has not announced a new tallest living horse.
As of now, the crown remains unclaimed, and Big Jake’s legacy as a true gentle giant continues to inspire awe around the world.
Other Tall Horses in the World
Not every giant made it into the record books, but plenty still turned heads wherever they went. Here are some of the other tallest horses the world has seen.
Goliath
Goliath was a massive Percheron gelding from Texas, USA.
He stood at 19.1 hands tall, which is about 6 feet 5 inches at the shoulder. He weighed close to 2,500 pounds.
He was officially named the world’s tallest living horse by Guinness World Records in 2005. His record was later broken by Big Jake, but he still remains one of the most famous tall horses in the world.
Goliath had a robust build, characterized by a broad chest and thick legs. Like many Percherons, he had a calm and steady nature.
He worked as part of the Priefert Ranch Percherons team and often appeared in parades and public shows.
Crowds loved him. He handled the attention well and enjoyed meeting people.
Sadly, Goliath passed away in 2008 at the age of 9. The cause of death was colic, a painful and often fatal digestive condition in horses.
Though his time was short, Goliath left a big mark. His size, strength, and gentle spirit made him a favorite across the country.
He showed the world just how grand and lovable a draft horse can be.
Radar
Born in 1998 in Iowa, USA, this Belgian draft gelding grew into a true giant, reaching a height of 19.3½ hands.
He weighed around 2,400 pounds and had a broad, powerful frame typical of his breed.
Radar lived at Priefert Ranch in Mount Pleasant, Texas. In 2004, Guinness World Records named him the tallest living horse in the world. He held that title until 2007.
Radar had a kind and calm nature. Despite his size, he was gentle and loved attention.
He became a media star, appearing on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
To stay healthy, Radar consumed 40 pounds of hay, 18 pounds of grain, and drank nearly 20 gallons of water daily. He was well cared for and enjoyed his life at the ranch.
Radar passed away in 2016 at the age of 18. A memorial now stands at Priefert Ranch where he is buried.
He is remembered not just for his height, but for his gentle heart and the joy he brought to everyone who met him.
Poe
Poe is one of the tallest living horses in the world today. He is a Clydesdale gelding who lives in Ontario, Canada, with his owner Shereen Thompson.
Poe stands at an incredible 20.2 hands tall, that’s about 6 feet 8 inches at the shoulder.
He weighs approximately 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg). Feeding Poe is no small job.
He eats around two full bales of hay and over 10 pounds of grain each day. He also drinks more than 200 liters of water daily to stay hydrated.
Poe is a gentle giant. He has a calm, steady nature and moves with quiet strength.
His size draws attention wherever he goes. Crowds love seeing him at farm shows, parades, and charity events.
Though Poe isn’t officially listed in the Guinness World Records, he’s believed to be one of the tallest Clydesdales alive. His owner says he’s still growing slowly.
Poe’s huge frame and sweet personality make him a favorite in Canada and beyond. Whether pulling a wagon or standing proudly in a pasture, he leaves a big impression, literally and figuratively.
Remington
Owned by Cheryl Davis from Princeton, Texas, this Clydesdale gelding made a name for himself with his massive size and gentle nature.
In 2009, he stood 20 hands tall (80 inches or about 6 ft 8 in) when measured without shoes. That same year, Guinness World Records considered him a contender for the title of tallest living horse.
He had a striking build, broad chest, strong legs, and a gentle nature. Remington drew big crowds at fairs and events.
Daily life for a horse this size wasn’t easy. He ate a lot and needed special care, bigger stalls, and custom shoes.
Remington didn’t end up with the Guinness title. Big Jake, a Belgian gelding, took the crown in 2010.
Still, Remington remains one of the tallest Clydesdales ever measured.
Details on his later life and passing aren’t widely recorded. But his fame lives on among draft-horse fans.
He showed the world what sheer size, paired with a calm heart, can look like in a Clydesdale.
King LeGear
King LeGear was a Clydesdale gelding owned by Dr. L.D. LeGear, a patent medicine entrepreneur from St. Louis, Missouri.
By age seven, he reached a towering 20.5 hands (about 6 ft 10 in) and weighed approximately 2,950 pounds.
King LeGear had the classic draft-horse build: a broad chest, powerful hindquarters, and feathered legs. This was enough to make him stand out in any crowd.
Though not officially Guinness-recorded, he was widely billed as “the largest horse in the world” during the early 1900s.
He appeared in promotional materials and advertisements for Dr. LeGear’s veterinary remedies, valued at around $25,000, a small fortune at the time.
King LeGear was known for his calm temperament. He stood quietly for photographs and crowds, making him ideal for public display.
While details about his later life and passing aren’t well recorded, his fame lives on through postcards and newspaper ads. Today, he remains a legendary example of how big and gentle a Clydesdale can be.
Dr. LeGear
A Percheron gelding owned by the L.D. LeGear Medicine Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, this massive horse became famous for his towering height and powerful build.
He stood at a massive 21 hands, about 7 feet, and weighed nearly 2,995 pounds. Measured on May 1, 1913, he was considered the largest horse in the world.
Dapple seal brown in color, Dr. LeGear had a strong, balanced build and wore a 32-inch collar.
Experts at the time praised him as “perfectly proportioned” and “absolutely sound”. He was valued at $25,000, a huge sum in 1913.
Dr. LeGear was used to promote patent veterinary remedies. He featured in posters and postcards.
His calm, steady nature made him ideal for display. He wowed crowds and helped sell products.
His exact fate is unclear. He likely died in the 1910s. Though his time was brief, his legend endures.
Dr. LeGear remains one of the biggest and most iconic horses ever recorded.
Brooklyn Supreme
Brooklyn Supreme, nicknamed “Brookie”, was a red-roan Belgian stallion born around April 12, 1928, on Earle Brown’s farm near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He stood an impressive 19.2 hands (6 ft 6 in, or ~198 cm) and weighed about 3,200 lbs (1,451 kg), with a chest girth of roughly 10 ft 2 in.
Before becoming oversized, Brookie was already a show champion. Later, owner Charles Grant Good and partner Ralph Fogleman toured him across the U.S., charging a dime for spectators to see this massive wonder.
Brooklyn Supreme became famous in the 1930s with appearances at fairs and the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition. He was celebrated for his blend of huge size and proportional build.
He lived until September 6, 1948, and was buried on Fogleman’s farm in Iowa. Though not officially the tallest, his weight and stature earned him the title of one of the largest and heaviest horses in history.
His legend lives on in postcards, journalism, and the memories of those who witnessed his mighty form.
What Breed Produces the Tallest Horses?
If you’ve ever stood next to a truly tall horse, you know the feeling. It’s like standing beside a moving mountain with hooves.
But not all horses are built this way. The tallest ones usually come from old-school working breeds known as draft horses.
These animals weren’t bred to run fast or jump high. They were made to haul weight, pull plows, and grow to jaw-dropping heights.
Horses that produce the tallest horses include:
Shires
Start with the Shire. This is the breed behind the tallest horse ever recorded, Sampson, who hit 21.25 hands. That’s over 7 feet at the shoulder.
Shires are broad, heavy, and calm. With their feathered legs and slow stride, they don’t rush anywhere, but they sure do turn heads.
These horses have roots in England and used to haul beer carts before trucks took over.
Belgians
Then you’ve got the Belgians. Big, blocky, and kind-hearted. Big Jake, the tallest living horse until 2021, was one of these.
Belgians aren’t flashy, but they’re solid from hoof to hip. And when they grow tall, they grow tall. Many tip past 18 hands like it’s nothing.
Percherons
Percherons are the middle ground. Massive, yes, but smoother in build. Horses like Goliath and Dr. LeGear came from this French line.
They’re strong enough for logging and elegant enough for parades. If a Shire is a tank and a Belgian is a bulldozer, a Percheron is a freight train – powerful, yet clean in motion.
Clydesdales
You’ve seen them in beer commercials. Clydesdales are striking, especially with those white feathered legs and high knees.
Remington and Poe are two examples that pushed past 20 hands. They’ve got presence and they know it. They also walk like they’re on a runway.
Conclusion
So, who takes the title of the tallest horse in the world? That honor goes to legends like Sampson and Big Jake.
But they’re not the only ones who’ve left a big impression. From towering Shires to show-stopping Clydesdales, these gentle giants turn heads wherever they go.
They’re more than record-breakers. They’re unforgettable. Whether you’ve seen one in person or just stared in awe at their photos, one thing’s for sure: these horses don’t just stand tall, they stand out.
