The word 'shire' is of the Middle English origin and the meaning it conveys is that of the office of administration or the jurisdiction of such office. But popularly the word is being used as a prefix to many of the names of the counties located in the country of England. You can find its use in the names of the counties Yorkshire and Hampshire.
When somebody is using the term 'the shire counties' it conveys the idea of the counties situated in the central part of England and are located especially in the country areas. The word when associated with the word 'horse' it forms the term 'shire horse' and the meaning you can figure out from the term is a large powerful horse that you can use for pulling loads.
When somebody is using the term 'the shire counties' it conveys the idea of the counties situated in the central part of England and are located especially in the country areas. The word when associated with the word 'horse' it forms the term 'shire horse' and the meaning you can figure out from the term is a large powerful horse that you can use for pulling loads.