Irish Draught Horses
Breed: Irish Draught Horses
Temperament: well tempered, gentle
Cost: $10,000+
Lifespan: up to 30 years
Recommended for: ideal for adult sport riders, suitable for anyone
Ireland’s soil, climate and culture makes it one of the most horse friendly places on earth. The Irish Draught Horse benefitted greatly from these conditions and has evolved into a hardy versatile horse with a spirited but gentle temperament.
Irish Draught Horses are largely crossed with Thoroughbreds to produce faster horses that are excellent jumpers. These horses are suitable for all kinds of equestrian events and are known as Irish Sport Horses. Sport horses are one of the most popular breeds of horse used in Equestrian sport worldwide.
Irish Draught Horses, as we know them now, have been in existence in Ireland for a century or more, although the breed was almost lost during times of poverty and famine when Irish owners did not register animals. The breed was almost lost again after WWII when thousands of animals were transported to Europe to feed starving nations.
Appearance
Unlike the name suggests Irish Draught Horses are not Draught horse like in appearance. They do not have long hairs (feathering) around the feet, but they do have short cannon bones and good sound bone throughout.
The Irish Draught Horse Society of Ireland describes the breed as such:
“The IDH is an active short legged powerful horse with substance and quality. It is proud of bearing, deep of girth and strong of back and quarters. Standing over a lot of ground it has exceptionally strong and sound constitution.”
Stallions are approximately 15.3 hands high to 16.3 hands high with females approximately 15.1 hands high to 16.1 hands high.
When crossed with a thoroughbred to produce the Irish Sport Horse the result is a slighter built horse that retains the soundness of bone.
Temperament
Again the word Draught is misleading as the Irish Draught Horse has plenty of get up and go. They can be a little pushy, as some large horses tend to be, but will always work hard and try to please you. These horses are very calm and make wonderful companions. The Irish Sport horses are largely used by adult riders simply because they are such good sport horses, however, even inexperienced riders can usually mount an Irish Draught Horse.
Health and lifespan
There are no hereditary problems with this breed at present. In the past they did experience some back bending in the knees, however horses with this problem or other genetic problems can not be passed into the Irish studbook. Being a big horse they are subject to natural wear and tear but will live well into their 20s and often up to 30.
Breeding
In Australia breeders have not experienced or heard of any foaling problems with either pure bred Irish Draught Horses or Sport Horses. Large stallions can impregnate small mares without foal size becoming an issue.
Upkeep
Irish Draught Horses are not big eaters, but require good quality feed when young and when in pasture. They do not require any special care and can be stabled with standard diet, grooming and husbandry.
Popularity
Around the world the Irish Draught Horse is struggling to survive. This is largely due to the popularity of crossing the horse to produce Sport horses. There are a few pure bred horses sold each year in Australia and ironically the breed is now gaining popularity because of the success of Irish Sport horses in Equestrian Sports.
The first stallion was brought to Australia in the last half of the 1970s and although popularity has increased the breed is listed as rare with around 2000 pure bred animals in existence world wide. Luckily the Irish Draught Horses is now being recognised and protected by horse breeders to secure its future.
Further information
We filmed our story with Penny Reeves from the Irish Draught and Sport Horse Society (Aust).
To contact the Society call the Secretary Emma Sullivan, 0419 347 508.
Website: www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5589/idshs3.html
Email: [email protected]
Or write to: The Irish Draught and Sport Horse Society (Aust)
Ashes Bridge Road
Tallarook, VIC, 3659