If you are a fan of horses, you might have heard of Zeus, the Belgian draft horse that holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest horse ever.
Zeus measured 20 hands 2.75 inches (210.19 cm or 6 ft 10.7 in) from hoof to withers, which is the ridge between the shoulder blades.
That’s taller than the average NBA player! But how did Zeus become such a giant, and what was his life like?
In this article, we will explore the story of Zeus, the biggest horse in the world.
PHOTO Courtesy: (Pinterest)
The Origins of Zeus
Zeus was born in 2004 in Nebraska, USA, to a breeder named Dirk Smits.
Smits had been raising Belgian draft horses for over 20 years, and he knew that Zeus was special from the start.
He said that Zeus was “a big baby” who grew very fast and had a gentle personality.
Smits sold Zeus to Jerry Gilbert, a farmer from Wisconsin, when he was a yearling.
Gilbert named him after the Greek god of thunder, and took him to his Smokey Hollow Farm in Poynette.
The Life of Zeus
Zeus lived a happy and comfortable life at Smokey Hollow Farm, where he had plenty of space to roam and graze.
He also had a lot of friends, both human and animal. Gilbert said that Zeus was “a gentle giant” who loved attention and treats.
He said that Zeus got along well with other horses, dogs, cats, and even chickens.
Zeus also enjoyed participating in local parades and events, where he attracted a lot of admirers and fans.
Zeus ate a lot of food to maintain his massive size. Gilbert said that he fed him about 1.5 bales of hay and 40 quarts of oats per day.
He also gave him supplements and vitamins to keep him healthy.
Zeus drank about 75 gallons of water per day, which is enough to fill a bathtub.
He also wore custom-made horseshoes that weighed about 30 pounds each.
Who Is Zeus The Horse?
Zeus belongs to Prince Ahmed and was initially acquired for show jumping purposes.
However, due to Zeus being perceived as a challenging horse, he was eventually sold.
When Adrian’s attempts to manage Zeus proved unsuccessful, this provided Prince Ahmed with a reason to bring Amy on board.
How big was Zeus the horse?
Zeus, the Belgian Draft Horse, holds the title of being the world’s most massive equine.
Standing at 21 hands tall (7 feet or 2.13 meters) at the shoulder and weighing around 3000 pounds (1361 kilograms), he’s truly colossal.
It’s rumored that crafting a single horseshoe for this magnificent creature requires a staggering 30 pounds (13.61 kilograms) of steel.
Zeus, without a doubt, reigns as the largest horse on the planet.
The Record of Zeus
Zeus was officially recognized as the tallest horse ever by Guinness World Records in 2010, when he was six years old.
He beat the previous record holder, a Shire horse named Tina from Illinois, who measured 20 hands (203.2 cm or 6 ft 8 in).
Zeus also surpassed the height of the tallest horse in history, a Shire horse named Sampson (or Mammoth) from England, who measured 21.5 hands (219 cm or 7 ft 2.5 in) in 1850.
Zeus became a celebrity after his record was announced.
He appeared on several TV shows, such as Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Also, he featured in magazines and newspapers around the world. Gilbert said that he was proud to own the biggest horse in the world, and enjoyed sharing him with others.
He said that Zeus brought joy and happiness to many people.
The Legacy of Zeus
Sadly, Zeus passed away in 2014, at the age of 10.
Gilbert said that he died of natural causes, and that he had no health problems related to his size.
He said that he was heartbroken by the loss of his beloved horse, and that he missed him every day.
He said that Zeus was “a once-in-a-lifetime horse” who left a lasting impression on everyone who met him.
Zeus remains the tallest horse ever recorded by Guinness World Records, and no other horse has come close to his height since his death.
He also holds a special place in the hearts of many horse lovers around the world, who admire his majestic beauty and gentle spirit.
Zeus was truly a remarkable animal, who lived up to his name as the biggest horse in the world.
Conclusion
Zeus was an extraordinary horse who broke the world record for being the tallest horse ever.
The horse measured 20 hands 2.75 inches (210.19 cm or 6 ft 10.7 in) from hoof to withers, which is taller than most humans.
He lived a happy and comfortable life at Smokey Hollow Farm in Wisconsin, where he was loved and cared for by his owner Jerry Gilbert.
Zeus also participated in local parades and events, where he attracted many admirers and fans.
He became a celebrity after his record was announced by Guinness World Records in 2010, and appeared on several TV shows and magazines.
He passed away in 2014, at the age of 10, but his legacy lives on as the biggest horse in the world.
