The world’s tallest horse died in June after living for 20 years on an 85-acre Wisconsin farm.
Big Jake, 6 feet, 10 inches and 2,500 pounds, was certified as the world’s tallest living equestrian in 2010 by the Guinness World Records.
“Jake was a superstar, and I’m not just saying that because he was ours. He was truly a magnificent animal. He was extremely talented,” said Jerry Gilbert, owner of Smokey Hollow Farm in Poynette, where Big Jake lived.
Upon his birth, the Belgian gelding weighed 240 pounds, far above the 140-pound average for a horse at its birth, Gilbert said. Gilbert would routinely take Big Jake to the Wisconsin State Fair to show off his massive size.
Big Jake’s daily diet consisted of a bail and a half of hay, as well as about 30 quarts of mixed grains and oats. After finishing his work for the day, the horse would take a nap at 1 p.m., audibly snoring in his sleep.
“It’s very quiet. The other horses know. I think they have their own grieving time because Jake was the center of attention around here. There is a huge void. It feels like he’s still here, but he’s not,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert and his family will pay tribute to Big Jake by keeping his stall unoccupied and placing a plaque in his honor in the stall.
“Our relationship was special. It is amazing what we do for these animals because they are like our children. We care for them, we protect them, we are with them every single day,” Gilbert said.
The family did not disclose the exact date of Big Jake’s death.
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“We would rather not remember him by a date — it’s been a traumatic event for our family,” said Gilbert’s wife, Valicia.
The only horse in history to grow taller than Big Jake is Sampson, a Shire gelding who was measured at 7 feet, 2 inches, weighing in at 3,359 pounds in Bedfordshire, England, in 1850.
