April 2, 2008

NIOTA, Tenn. –- The horse that holds the 2007 Guinness World Record for height has died.

Jim and Marge Williams are waiting for a necropsy report to explain the English Shire’s cause of death.

Four-year old Tina, who measured 80 inches from front hoof to shoulder, was taken by Mr. Williams from their southeastern Tennessee farm to Auburn University nearly 300 miles away in Alabama on March 14.

The horse was to have a minor surgery on her leg, but before the procedure was done, Tina laid down and could not stand again. She died soon after, Williams told The Daily Post-Athenian.

Tina rose to stardom last July when she was officially measured by Guinness for the World Record at 20 hands -- an ancient Egyptian measurement that is about four inches in length.

Now other horse owners are challenging for the record, which is measured from the front hoof to the top of the horse’s shoulder.

The average English Shire lives about 18 years and can grow to be 17 to 19 hands tall.

Tina weighed more than 1600 pounds and could consume 40 pounds of hay, 22 pounds of grain and drank 25 gallons of water a day.

Tell us what you think about “No Tall Tale: World’s Tallest Horse Dies” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

Robin Wallace, Pet Pulse;WSMV.com and The Associated Press contributed to this article.