The Irish Draught Horse has been in existence for a century or more, though it has been nearly lost on several occasions. During periods of poverty and famine in Irish history, many breeders gave up registering their animals and it took many hours of work by breed enthusiasts and the Irish Horse Board to get a new stud book started. Ireland’s soil, climate and culture makes it the most horse friendly place on earth. The Irish Draught (pronounced “Draft”) has benefited from this environment for longer than any other type of horse and over the centuries has evolved into Ireland’s unique contribution to the equine world.
Tracing its roots back to Celtic times on its island home when the first imported horses raced at ancient festivals or pulled chariots in epic battles, it has gradually evolved into an animal with versatility far beyond what its name implies. While having the strength and placid temperament the working horse, the Irish Draught is not simply a draught in the usual application of that word to the equine. The name may be misleading in that the breed is a lighter free-moving animal than the traditional image of the heavy horse.
In centuries past, a greater size of horse was imported into Ireland by the Normans. There was a further upgrading through an infusion of Spanish Andalusian blood. The Irish Draught evolved on both the small and large farms of the Irish countryside where the farm horse doubled up as a riding horse and hunter as well as pulling the trap or dogcart into town. The horse had to be docile, strong and economical to keep. Its traditional winter feed was young gorse bushes chopped up, boiled turnips and bran or meal of some sort that could be spared from the cows. Gradually the breed developed into an animal around 15.1 h. – 16.1 h.h. in mares and 15.3 h.h. – 16.3 h.h. In stallions and of any whole color. Today the Irish Draught is more sought after for its breeding qualities, being used more and more to get extra bone and substance in the progeny of the lighter type mare. When crossed with the thoroughbred the Irish Draught is the basic ingredient of the famous Irish Hunter and of the ideal show jumping and competition Irish Sport Horse. (In Great Britain and North America, this is referred to as the Irish Draught Sport Horse to distinguish it from Irish bred horses with no Irish Draught blood).
Ever since show jumping had its birth in Ireland and went on to become an international sport at the end of the I9th century, the Irish Draught Horse has played a major role. The even temperament, durability and athleticism of the Irish Draught, upgraded in crosses with the Thoroughbred, has created a potent mix which is well up to the demands of modern day show jumping. Cagney, by Clover Hill RID. Won the $50,000 Cuddy International Grand Prix, Ontario, CAN
Some recent examples of Irish Sport Horses sired by Registered Irish Draught stallions include Mill Pearl , for the United States Equestrian Team, Special Envoy (ISH) for Brazil, the stallion Cruising (ISH) on Ireland’s resurgent side that won three major Nations Cup events in 1995 – Aachen, Kerrygold Dublin and Calgary. Also in 1995 there was the unique double at the Royal International at Hickstead when Marion Hughes won the Queens Cup on Flo Jo (ISH) by Clover Hill (RID) and Robert Splaine took the Kings Cup on the late Heather Blaze (ISH) by Diamond Lad (RID).
The information contained on this page is provided courtesy of the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America and the Irish Draught Sport Horse Register .
