But then, nothing Duke the shire horse does is subtle. He stands at just over 6ft 7in high at the withers, or shoulders - a world record - and weighs more than a ton.
Astonishingly, the five-year-old will continue to grow over the next couple of years, so he could yet put on another inch or two.
Duke - who in equestrian terms is a little over 19.3 hands - was rescued in 2006 when his former owner died suddenly.
He has since become a star attraction at The Horse Refuge in Tenterden, Kent, where his new owners have had to build a special large stable for him. He also needs custom-made rugs and collars.
Carer Sara Ross said: 'Visitors can't believe it when they see him. Some joke that he must be crossed with an elephant.
'He towers over me. I go underneath him rather than around him when I'm with him to save time. When I'm grooming him I have to stand on something.'
Duke eats more than £110 of food each week, receiving two large feeds and a bale-and-a-half of hay in a winter week - more than four times as much as a normal horse.
Despite his formidable presence, Duke's best friend is Jasper - a Shetland pony.
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