History of the Irish Horse

Background

The Irish Draught Horse breed was developed over the past few centuries by farmers in Ireland to suit their very historical small holding needs.  The Irish Draught horse is a multi purpose horse to its varied talents; riding, hunting, driving and light farm work.  It is not however these days a draught horse according to the dictionary definition of the word (a beast of burden).  These days the ID is frequently used to combine its many qualities with those of TB horses to produce performance or sport horses which today compete very successfully across all disciplines including eventing dressage and showjumping. The positive qualities which the pure ID injects into other breeds of horses include temperament, short shins, good flat bone, substance, power, hardiness and thriftiness, an enviable list within the equine world.

A Rare Breed

The Irish Draught Horse Society (Ireland & GB) exists primarily to ensure that the requisite equine genes are readily available in both purebred Irish mares and stallions  This notion is vital both for potential breeders and those riders who wish to buy performance horses. The Irish Draught is listed by the rare breeds societies in Ireland and GB..

The term 'draught' is a misnomer, because although in their early history they pulled the family cart and were used to plough, these horses were not bred as a pulling breed, but as a versatile horse that carried children to school or took the farmer hunting several days a week. They are far removed from the Clydesdale, Percheron or other draught breeds.  Some prefer the spelling 'Draft' to reflect the great use Irish horses were put to by the military in Ireland and GB - 'drafted' into service!