We’ve all seen giant draft horses and been awed by their majestic size, usually around 17-18 hands high. You may have even seen ones at 19hh, which is pretty incredible.
But chances are, you have never met a horse as tall as Big Jake.
Image Source: Screen Shot via Guinness World Records
Jake is a 15-year-old Belgian gelding who has held the Guinness World Record for tallest horse since January 19th, 2010. He was measured at 20 hands and 2.75 inches high, without shoes, at Smokey Hollow Farms in Poynette, Wisconsin.
Image Source: Screen Shot via Guinness World Records
That’s almost 7 feet tall at the withers!
Image Source: Screen Shot via Guinness World Records
Belgians usually average in the 17hh range. When born, foals are around 125 pounds. Big Jake was 240!
Jerry Gilbert, Barn Manager at Smokey Hollow, told Guinness World Records that Jake is gentle, despite his giant size.
He eats a bale and a half of hay and 32 quarts of oats a day! Imagine if you had to feed a barn full of Jakes…
See the full story on Jake below:
What a big, handsome boy! What’s the tallest horse you’ve ever seen in person? Share in the comments!
