The Irish Draught Story
So, just what is a Registered Irish Draught. The "Horse of Ireland" as the Irish Draught was originally known, was developed in Ireland from the Irish "hobby" an energetic, small riding horse used for tending their flocks and as a warhorse. Later, the blood of the heavier Norman horses used by Knights and the blood of the Spanish Andalusian was added giving the hobby more bone and size. With the arrival of the Thoroughbred, the Irish horse was further refined. The late 1600's saw the Irish under harsh laws from the English. One such law forbade them owning a horse worth more than 5 schillings or it could be seized. Others prevented them from owning more than one horse. The farmer needed his horse to serve as a riding mount, work the land and transport the family. Temperament was very important as the wife and children often handled the horse and soundness was critical to the families well being. Fox-hunting all day Saturday was frequently called for as well. This versatile Irish horse was the foundation of the Irish Draught breed.Just where did the name "Irish Draught" come from? One story has it that the Guinness Draught delivery wagons were always pulled by these Irish horses. People talked about the "Irish draughters" that pulled the wagons. The horses were obviously different from the heavy draft horses familiar to many or people would not have come up with the unique way of referring to these Irish horses. The name caught on and stuck. The Irish Draught studbook was started in the early 1900's for horses of the Irish Draught type and pedigree. The first inspectors were very careful to exclude horses with heavy draft blood, like the Clydesdale and Percheron, but Thoroughbred blood was allowed. The studbook started with 44 stallions and 375 mares.The numbers rose steadily and peaked in 1943, but with the mechanization of farming the numbers started to decline. Many of the mares were being bred for performance to Thoroughbred stallions and the number of purebreds fell to a dangerously low level. In 1994 there were less than 1000 registered horses left in Ireland, making them endangered. The Irish Government has since taken steps to work with other countries including England and the United States to preserve this breed. They are still considered an endangered breed.
The Irish Draught Horse is an active, short-shinned, powerful horse with substance and quality. It is proud of bearing, deep of girth and strong of back and quarters. It has an exceptionally strong and sound constitution and an intelligent and gentle nature. It is noted for its docility and common sense.
 1999 pure Irish Draught mare, Texas Diamond Belle As you can see, the Irish Draught is not a heavy, cold-blood. |
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, creates 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 often serves as a perfect novice mount, adeptly boosting the confidence of a lower level rider. The following are successful competitors that have a portion (max. 1/2 and a min. of 1/8th) of RID blood.
Showjumpers: Cagney Carling King Clover Leaf Coolcorron Cool Diamond Cruising Double Diamond Flo Jo Hopes are High Millstreet Ruby Special Envoy El Campeons Ado Annie Eezy Point Blank Rincoola Abu
Eventers: Custom Made Man in the Moon ll A Touch of Frost Kilcotrim Sailing Star Bright Supreme Rock Coral Cove Giltedge.
Bonnie Belle Supreme, pure RID mare
Her pure ID yearling and new ID foal
Flying Harp Farm