The Shire Horse
(a continuing article by Arlin Wareing)
From ASHA Spring 1996 Newsletter
Chapter V: The Comeback
Early history of the Shire horse is interesting and provides a foundation or ideas relative to the horse of today. While 50 years may seem like an eternity for the boy who is having trouble waiting, even one year, before being able to get his first drivers license, it is little time for rebuilding an entire animal breed from near extinction.
We have looked at the decline of the breed and found economics to be a major factor. Trucks and tractors had replace the Shire since they could do more work at less cost. World War II had united the nation in a single goal to defeat the enemy. But following the war, everyone took on their own challenges and desires, ranging from rebuilding lives with the loss of friends and loved-ones, to simple taking two week vacations.
So it was with C.J. Wright in 1947, a farmer, dairyman and local politician from Blackfoot, Idaho. Mr. Wright had been a Shire breeder, but had previously moved on to tractors himself. HOwever, his knowledge of the breed and people involved was fresh in his memory as he traveled to southern California for a well deserved vacation. For someone like C.J., with his knowledge and love of the Shire, a trip to California without seeing the Fred H. Bixby operation, would surely not be a complete vacation.
C.J. found himself at the Bixby headquarters near Long Beach as an unannounced stranger. He later tells of how well he was received. Not only did he see all the horses at that location, he was given information regarding bloodlines and history of each. The experience was one of the highlights of Mr. Wright's very rewarding life. There were no pretenses; the parade had already passed by and any expectations of the revival of the Shire breed was gone. In only five short years, Fred H. Bixby and the horses would also be gone. But on that occasion, the past was a bigger part of the conversation, than was the future.
Years later, Mr. Wright told me stories of his visit to the Bixby's; one such story which I felt was important, concerned one of the Bixby stallions. The name of the horse had escaped his memory when he told the story.
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