BARRHEAD - With only 3,000 Shire horses left in the world, the rare and majestic breed is considered at critical status—and a small Alberta breeder is fighting to save them.
Leanne Bombay, along with her husband David, runs a small Shire horse breeding program near Barrhead. Known for their massive size and gentle nature, Shire horses once pulled carts and plows across Europe, but now face the threat of extinction.
“These horses—I can do anything with them. They just have basically the perfect demeanor,” said Bombay.
Despite having anxiety around horses in general, she said she feels at ease around Shires, and today, she and her family care for 11 of the animals on their farm.
Shire stallions typically stand between 17 and 19 hands high (5.7 to 6.3 feet at the shoulder), with mares reaching 16 to 18 hands. By contrast, an average horse usually measures between 15 and 16 hands.
Bombay’s love for the breed started at 16, when she got her first Shire. In 2020, she and David launched their breeding program, and today she also serves as director and secretary for the Canadian Shire Horse Association, working to raise awareness of the breed and its dwindling numbers.
Her efforts recently gained widespread attention after she posted the emotional story of a colt named Bambi on her TikTok account, @rheabombay. One video chronicling his difficult birth and survival journey has been viewed more than 100,000 times.
@rheabombay I don’t know how less dramatic to put it lol, but this colt and his dire circumstances literally strengthened my marriage probably ten fold - and he brought me so much closer to God ♥️ This is a story we love sharing with our friends and family - I was told I should share it on here, and maybe Bambi could make some fans and supporters in his story 🥰 Happy Trails! #fyp #foryoupage #colt #foal #horse #horses #viral #viral_video #shire #shirehorse #horsebreeding #vetcare #canada #alberta #equestrian #equestrianlife #imagine #love #bounce #sweet #support #adayinmylife ♬ Home - Matthew Hall
“I don’t know how less dramatic to put it,” she captioned the post, “but this colt and his dire circumstances literally strengthened my marriage probably tenfold—and he brought me so much closer to God. This is a story we love sharing… maybe Bambi could make some fans and supporters in his story.”
Bambi’s mother, Tamara, was taken to an equine hospital in Stony Plain to give birth in 2024. What was expected to be a two-week visit turned into a 53-day ordeal. Tamara was diagnosed with placentitis, a serious condition that can cause foal loss. Veterinarians recommended a C-section, and the couple was told to prepare for vet bills that could range from $36,000 to over $100,000.
Ultimately, Tamara was treated with around-the-clock medication, and Bambi was born alive—but not without complications. He suffered from contracture in his front legs and dummy foal syndrome, both linked to oxygen deprivation before birth.
“In his first week of life, Bambi could stand up, but he couldn’t walk because his leg was splinted,” Bombay said. “For this reason, he couldn't drink from his mom.”
Veterinarians recommended euthanasia due to the intense care the foal would require.
But the Bombays chose to give him a chance, despite full-time jobs, farming duties, and two children under the age of six. For a month, they changed his splints daily and checked on him every two hours.
Now, Bambi is nearly a year old and is expected to pass his upcoming veterinary exam.
The story struck a chord with viewers worldwide. Encouraged by the outpouring of support, the Bombays have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help preserve their breeding operation and the future of Shire horses in Canada. The fundraiser is available at gofundme.com/f/help-us-save-the-shires.
“We are beyond grateful for your generosity and support,” Bombay wrote in an update on the campaign page.
Costs for maintaining the horses are substantial, from feed and farrier care to emergency veterinary bills. And due to limited stallions in Canada, the Bombays have often shipped horses across the country for breeding. Their current stallion is just coming of age and will help alleviate some of those challenges.
Last year, the family took their Shires to the Calgary Stampede, winning three ribbons and gaining public interest in the breed. Bombay says Shires are more than just workhorses—they are capable of competing in jumping, dressage, and western disciplines.
Between countries, regulations vary for registering purebred horses. Canada’s registration process matches that of the UK’s Shire Horse Society—one of the most established and respected—which helps maintain the breed’s integrity but also makes it harder to grow numbers quickly.
Bombay hopes that continued education, storytelling, and outreach—online and in person—can help shift the tide for these gentle giants.
“Every little bit helps provide the best care for these incredible horses and keeps the breed alive for future generations,” she said.
