A Shire horse named Hugo has entered the record books as the world’s tallest living horse — and he may not be finished growing yet.
Hugo lives in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and already stands about 199 centimeters tall, or around 6.5 feet, at the shoulder.
The four-year-old horse was officially measured by a veterinarian without shoes to make sure the result was accurate.
His owner, Brett Masters, said Hugo receives a great deal of care because of his unusual size.
Hugo regularly sees a veterinarian, dentist, chiropractor and massage therapist. He also follows a careful diet and receives supplements to support his growth.
Masters says Hugo lives a “five-star lifestyle” and gets everything he needs.
Shire horses are naturally large and strong. In the past, they were commonly used on farms and for pulling heavy loads and wagons.
When Masters got Hugo at 18 months old, he did not realize just how tall the horse would become.
Now, Hugo is still growing.
Masters believes he could continue getting taller until he is around eight years old.
Because of his rapid growth, his health needs to be watched carefully.
“He’s only a baby,” Masters said. “We have to be very careful with him.”
Despite his enormous size, Hugo is known for being calm and gentle.
Whenever he goes out in public, people often stop to take photos and videos of him.
Masters described him as one of the kindest and most gentle horses he knows.
Hugo also takes part in demonstrations that show how Shire horses were traditionally used for agricultural work and transport.
He is now even learning how to carry riders.
For now, Hugo seems very happy with h