Giant horse becomes centre of netizens’ attention

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland: Phantom, a 7-year-old Shire breed who lives at a rescue center, is getting a lot of attention after a TikTok video showcasing his towering, nearly 7-foot height brought in more than 11 million views.

Although Shires (a British breed) are generally tall, Phantom’s soaring stature is still unusual, as the largest rarely clear 6 feet, foreign media reported.

“We can’t take Phantom anywhere without crowds coming over to stand next to him and get a picture of the giant horse,” Lauren Nation, director of development at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mount Airy, Maryland, told Newsflare. “Many people can’t believe there are horses as big as him.”

He is only about an inch shorter than Big Jake, the world’s tallest horse until his death last month at age 20, and measures about 6.75 feet — or 20.1 hands — at his highest point. Phantom’s trainer, Courtney Garner, said he is the biggest horse she’s ever ridden. Astonished TikTok viewers marveled at Phantom’s height, with one wondering, “How do u get on him?” and another noting, “It’s just amazing to me that some breeds of horses can get this big.” Phantom has lived at the facility since last year, when his large size became too much of a challenge for his owner to handle.