Irish Draft Horse

Ireland has the Irish Draught horse as its national horse breed. This horse was basically fashioned for agricultural purposes. These horses are very famous for cross breeding with warmbloods and Thoroughbreds and their cross breeding results in producing Irish Draught Sport Horse or Irish Sport Horse. This horse is excellent at the greatest levels of show jumping and eventing. It is much esteemed by a new generation of horse owners. In terms of action, it has a smooth and free action. Its action is without exaggeration and not heavy or cumbersome. Irish Draught horse breed is a breed of boldness and distinction.

History of Irish Draught Horse

The cross breeding of the Thoroughbred with Irish mares produced the Irish Draught Horse. It was used for farm work, carriage driving and hunting. This new horse breed saw turn down in terms of numbers during the agricultural recession in 1879. A subsidy scheme was introduced to accepted stallions of Irish Draught and Hunter type by the Department of Agriculture Committee on Horse Breeding in 1904. The scheme resulted in fashioning of the present day’s Irish Draught horses. An Irish Draught Stud book was formed in 1917. Forty four stallions were registered in it. In the year 1976, the Irish Draught Horse Society was shaped. These days, the Irish Draught horse is prized for producing competition horses and hunters.

Physique of Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught Horse has an alert head with straight face, carried well on short and strong neck. The eyes are bold. Its body is barrel-shaped and rather long with massive shoulders. The quarters are powerful and sloping. The legs very hard and show abundant bone. Hooves are large and round.

Height of Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught horse grows to the height of 15-17 hands high on an average.

Body Color of Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught Horse is found in bay, brown, chestnut or gray color. If there are white leg markings above the knees or hocks, they are not considered pleasing.

Temperament of Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught horse is quiet, sensible, willing, alert and active.

Uses of Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught Horse is first and foremost used for riding and hunting. Cross breeding among Irish Draught and Thoroughbred makes first-rate competition horses.

Irish Draught horse, when crossed with a Thoroughbred or other quality lightweight horse, gives rise to the famous Irish hunters and jumpers. It could be cold blood, but the absence of feather on its heels and the general alert air of the riding horse make its categorization minimum questionable. Historically, the horse was so much part of the countryside it tended to blend into the background. In the present day, the horse is an opulence, a pleasure and competition horse. Its walk and trot are found to be straight and true with good flexion in the hocks and freedom of the shoulders. This is a horse that is willing and safe to ride, has an easygoing nature and imperturbable attitude. It is easy to be kept and stays sound for longer duration. In a nut-shell it can be said that the Irish Draught horse is unparalleled.