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The Irish Draught
The Irish Draught's history lies as much in
battle as it does in agriculture. Written in
1 BC, the "Cuchlain Saga" describes
mighty chariot horses of Irish Draught
type. In the twelfth century came the
arrival, in Ireland, of the Anglo-Normans
with their strong war horses. Later, in the
sixteenth century, trade between
southern Ireland and Spain brought a
strong mix of Spanish blood to the native
horses. The Irish Draught has been
exported in huge numbers into the armies
of Europe since the Middle Ages. As
recently as the first World War the Irish
Draught served on the front lines in the
thousands.
The hundred years from 1850 to 1950
probably did the most to shape the Irish
Draught as we know it today. Agriculture
in Ireland was mixed, with less demand for
the heavy draft breeds popular in the rest
of Europe. Instead, the Irish farmer
needed a horse that could work the land
but would also pull the dog cart to church
at a smart trot and take the farmer fox
hunting. The hunting farmer wanted a
horse that would go all day and jump
anything he faced.
Over a century of selection produced a
very sound, sensible animal with good
bone and substance, great stamina and
an uncanny jumping ability. It is these
qualities that, when crossed with the
Thoroughbred, produced the world
renowned Irish Hunter.
Unfortunately, this success as a
foundation breed nearly led to the Irish
Draught’s downfall. The decrease in farm
mechanization and the worldwide demand
for hunters and sport horses brought the
breed to the brink of extinction. It was
more profitable for the Irish farmer to
supplement his living by breeding his
good draught mare to a thoroughbred
than to breed her to a purebred stallion.
Even with the concerted efforts of the
Irish Draught Horse Society, founded in
1976, the breed is considered
endangered with barely 2,000 purebreds
worldwide.
Breed Characteristics
The Irish Draught Horse is an active short-
legged powerful horse with substance
and quality. It is neither as massive nor
as heavily feathered as its name implies.
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. It has an
intelligent and gentle nature and is noted
for its docility and sense.
The Irish Draught's movement is smooth
and free but without exaggeration and not
heavy or ponderous. They may be of any
strong whole color, including grey. White
legs, above the knees or hocks are not
desirable. Their bones should be good
and strong. Stallions average size is
approximately 15.3 hands to 16.3 hands.
Mares average size is approximately 15.1
hands to 16.1 hands.
The Irish Draught's history lies as much in
battle as it does in agriculture. Written in
1 BC, the "Cuchlain Saga" describes
mighty chariot horses of Irish Draught
type. In the twelfth century came the
arrival, in Ireland, of the Anglo-Normans
with their strong war horses. Later, in the
sixteenth century, trade between
southern Ireland and Spain brought a
strong mix of Spanish blood to the native
horses. The Irish Draught has been
exported in huge numbers into the armies
of Europe since the Middle Ages. As
recently as the first World War the Irish
Draught served on the front lines in the
thousands.
The hundred years from 1850 to 1950
probably did the most to shape the Irish
Draught as we know it today. Agriculture
in Ireland was mixed, with less demand for
the heavy draft breeds popular in the rest
of Europe. Instead, the Irish farmer
needed a horse that could work the land
but would also pull the dog cart to church
at a smart trot and take the farmer fox
hunting. The hunting farmer wanted a
horse that would go all day and jump
anything he faced.
Over a century of selection produced a
very sound, sensible animal with good
bone and substance, great stamina and
an uncanny jumping ability. It is these
qualities that, when crossed with the
Thoroughbred, produced the world
renowned Irish Hunter.
Unfortunately, this success as a
foundation breed nearly led to the Irish
Draught’s downfall. The decrease in farm
mechanization and the worldwide demand
for hunters and sport horses brought the
breed to the brink of extinction. It was
more profitable for the Irish farmer to
supplement his living by breeding his
good draught mare to a thoroughbred
than to breed her to a purebred stallion.
Even with the concerted efforts of the
Irish Draught Horse Society, founded in
1976, the breed is considered
endangered with barely 2,000 purebreds
worldwide.
Breed Characteristics
The Irish Draught Horse is an active short-
legged powerful horse with substance
and quality. It is neither as massive nor
as heavily feathered as its name implies.
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. It has an
intelligent and gentle nature and is noted
for its docility and sense.
The Irish Draught's movement is smooth
and free but without exaggeration and not
heavy or ponderous. They may be of any
strong whole color, including grey. White
legs, above the knees or hocks are not
desirable. Their bones should be good
and strong. Stallions average size is
approximately 15.3 hands to 16.3 hands.
Mares average size is approximately 15.1
hands to 16.1 hands.
The Irish Draught Sport Horse
A complete package in its purest form, the Irish
Draught must also be acknowledged for its
potent and unparalleled contribution in the
creation of the magical cross; the Irish Draught
Sport Horse.
The even temperament, durability and power of
the Irish Draught, mixed with the speed and
athleticism of the Thoroughbred, create a potent
mix which is well up to the demands of modern
day competition. World famous for its jumping
and cross-country ability, this Irish
Draught/Thoroughbred cross is not only a top
caliber international athlete, but can serve as a
perfect novice mount, adeptly boosting the
confidence of a lower level rider.
Cruising, El Campeon's Ado Annie, Eezy, Carling
King, Mr. Springfield, Hilton Flight, Sails Away,
Coolcorron Cool Diamond, and World Cruise are
some of the shining stars of the Grand Prix
circuit. Custom Made, Supreme Rock, Giltedge,
McKinlaigh, Moon Man, Shear L'eau, and Sailing
have thrilled us in the Eventing world.
This magical cross is referred to as the Irish
Draught Sport Horse in North America and the
Irish Sport Horse in Europe. While it may seem
confusing, there is a reason for the difference in
names.
The Irish Draught Sport Horse is recognized by
North America (IDHS-NA and IDHS-Can) as a
crossbred animal with a portion of RID
(Registered Irish Draught) blood.
The Irish Sport Horse is recognized by the Irish
Horse Board, as an animal of ANY breeding,
which MAY OR MAY NOT have Irish Draught
blood in its pedigree. For example, an ArabxTB,
TBxConnemara, Pure TB, warmblood, RIDxTB, or
any combination of blood, may all be classified
as an Irish Sport Horse. Here in North America,
only the cross with RID blood is classified as an
Irish Draught Sport Horse.
It should be understood that the IDSH is not a
special breed or a product of an “American”
breeding program. It is just a new moniker aimed
at educating the public about the Irish Draught
blood that is so prevalent in many of the top
performance animals.
Whether the cross is known as an Irish Draught
Sport Horse, an Irish Sport Horse or even as an
Irish Hunter, if there is Irish Draught blood
running in those veins, you have one great
horse!
A complete package in its purest form, the Irish
Draught must also be acknowledged for its
potent and unparalleled contribution in the
creation of the magical cross; the Irish Draught
Sport Horse.
The even temperament, durability and power of
the Irish Draught, mixed with the speed and
athleticism of the Thoroughbred, create a potent
mix which is well up to the demands of modern
day competition. World famous for its jumping
and cross-country ability, this Irish
Draught/Thoroughbred cross is not only a top
caliber international athlete, but can serve as a
perfect novice mount, adeptly boosting the
confidence of a lower level rider.
Cruising, El Campeon's Ado Annie, Eezy, Carling
King, Mr. Springfield, Hilton Flight, Sails Away,
Coolcorron Cool Diamond, and World Cruise are
some of the shining stars of the Grand Prix
circuit. Custom Made, Supreme Rock, Giltedge,
McKinlaigh, Moon Man, Shear L'eau, and Sailing
have thrilled us in the Eventing world.
This magical cross is referred to as the Irish
Draught Sport Horse in North America and the
Irish Sport Horse in Europe. While it may seem
confusing, there is a reason for the difference in
names.
The Irish Draught Sport Horse is recognized by
North America (IDHS-NA and IDHS-Can) as a
crossbred animal with a portion of RID
(Registered Irish Draught) blood.
The Irish Sport Horse is recognized by the Irish
Horse Board, as an animal of ANY breeding,
which MAY OR MAY NOT have Irish Draught
blood in its pedigree. For example, an ArabxTB,
TBxConnemara, Pure TB, warmblood, RIDxTB, or
any combination of blood, may all be classified
as an Irish Sport Horse. Here in North America,
only the cross with RID blood is classified as an
Irish Draught Sport Horse.
It should be understood that the IDSH is not a
special breed or a product of an “American”
breeding program. It is just a new moniker aimed
at educating the public about the Irish Draught
blood that is so prevalent in many of the top
performance animals.
Whether the cross is known as an Irish Draught
Sport Horse, an Irish Sport Horse or even as an
Irish Hunter, if there is Irish Draught blood
running in those veins, you have one great
horse!
Irish Draught Sport Horse McKinlaigh ridden by
Gina Miles. Photo by Gillenwater Photography
Gina Miles. Photo by Gillenwater Photography
Gurraun Goldilock RID at the 2005
IDHSNA Annual Show. Photo by
Gillenwater Photography
IDHSNA Annual Show. Photo by
Gillenwater Photography