According the Guinness Book of World Records a shire gelding named Sampson set the record for the tallest horse in 1850. He stood 21. 2½ hands high - over seven feet!
A shire gelding named Samson who was born in 1846 was the tallest horse in 1850. Samson stood 22. 2 1/2 hands tall at that time. Shires are draft horse used for field work and driving.