 From this medieval horse came an animal called the Old English Black Horse in the 17th century . The Black Horse was improved by the followers of Robert Bakewell , of <unk> Grange in Leicestershire , resulting in a horse sometimes known as the " Bakewell Black " . Bakewell imported six Dutch or Flanders mares , notable since breeders tended to concentrate on improving the male line . Two different types of black horses developed : the Fen or Lincolnshire type and the Leicester or Midlands type . The Fen type tended to be larger , with more bone and extra hair , while the Midlands type tended to have more endurance while being of a finer appearance . The term " Shire horse " was first used in the mid @-@ 17th century , and incomplete records begin to appear near the end of the 18th century . The " <unk> Blind Horse " , from Leicestershire , is one of the best @-@ known horses of the era , with direct descendents being recorded from 1770 to 1832 . This horse is usually recognized as the foundation stallion for the Shire breed , and he stood at stud from 1755 to 1770 . During the 19th century , Shires were used extensively as cart horses to move goods from the docks through the cities and countryside . The rough roads created a need for large horses with extensive musculature . 
