When he was bought for just £200, shire horse Sovereign was frightened, neglected and so underweight it would have taken little more than a push to send him falling to the ground.
Two years and one huge growth spurt later, the proud stallion has now been declared Britain’s tallest horse.
In a remarkable turnaround, the four-year-old was nurtured back to full health by owner Paul Evans, who was stunned at just how large he became.
He now stands at 20.6 hands from his hoof to his withers at the bottom of his neck – the equivalent of just over 6ft 10ins – and is still growing so could yet become the tallest horse in the world.
Sovereign, who weighs more than a tonne, feeds on eight kilos of hay and corn every day and goes on five-mile trots three times a week to keep in shape.
Just a couple of years ago, however, he almost died before Mr Evans rescued him from his previous home.
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‘I have always loved shire horses so when I heard one was up for sale because his owners couldn't cope, I went down to see him.
‘Sovereign was in quite a bad way, he was actually underweight and very dirty. I could have probably pushed him over with my hand.
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‘I paid the owners £200. He was very nervous at first. It took a year before he fully trusted me.
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‘He could well top 22 or maybe in more hands which will make him a world record breaker.’
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Britain's tallest horse was previously a Clydesdale called Digger, who stood at 19.3 hands high (6ft 6ins).
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The tallest in the world is a massive 21 hands (7ft) high.
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