Old English Black
The Old English Black (also known as Lincolnshire Black) is an extinct horse breed. During the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, the Normans may have carried some of the Great Horses from Europe across the English Channel and bred them with native Horses. Eventually, a distinct type evolved that was known as the Old English Black Horse. Despite the name, the breed had not been a colour breed. For a long period of time, bays and browns were more commonplace than blacks. There were also roans, greys, and chestnuts among them. The colour markings were not unlike those of Clydesdale horses, with the desired pattern being four white stocking and a well-defined bald face. Large Dutch horses (possibly of Brabant and Friesian descent) were imported by William III when he discovered that the cart horses of his era were not strong enough for the task of draining the Lincolnshire Fens. These horses became known as the Lincolnshire Blacks. Eventually, the Old English Black Horse became extinct as a distinct breed and its bloodlines merged into other breeds. According to Hall and Clutton-Brock, Robert Bakewell developed the Old English Black Horse into the Black Horse of Leicestershire, a forerunner of the Shire Horse of the Midlands. The Old English Black Horse heavily influenced the bloodlines of the Clydesdale and Shire, and these breeds today have many features inherited from their ancestors.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Old English Black
Finding a responsible Old English Black breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Old English Black. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Old English Blacks appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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