Horse
Pronunciation:
Eye-rish draft
Breed Description:
The Irish Draught breed of horse was originally bred for farm work in Ireland, to pull carts and to plough fields. However more recently they have been bred for riding and as hunting horses. But they were even used as artillery horses during the world wars.
The Irish Draught Society was formed in 1976 and in 1979 the Irish Horse Society was launched in Great Britain. This soon became one of the most progressive horse societies in that country, operating a grading system that would ensure that the breed maintained its quality and developed as planned.
The Irish Draught horse is a very well built horse, with good strong bone. Because of their natural jumping ability, they are agile, bold and very athletic.
These days the breed has become a very popular choice to cross with Thoroughbreds and various other Warmbloods to produce the ultimate Irish Sport Horse, which is used for eventing and show jumping.
The Irish Draught breed of horse can be any solid color, bay, grey or chestnut and they often have white markings, socks or stockings on their legs, and stars or blazes on their faces. Unlike other draught horses they do not have feathered legs.
Temperament:
The Irish Draught breed of horse is docile, intelligent and gentle natured, but also very brave and willing.
Height:
The Irish Draught breed of horse these days stands between 16 and 17 hands, or 64 to 68 inches at the withers.
Weight:
The Irish Draught breed of horse has an average weight of anything from between 900 and 1350 pounds. Some are quite small, but they tend to be heavy.
Health Problems:
The Irish Draught breed of horse has no real health problems, but in the past some have had conformation faults with their legs tending to be back at the knee.
Living Conditions:
The Irish Draught breed of horse should live indoors during extreme winter months and during mid-summer when it is very hot.
Exercise:
The Irish Draught breed of horse is mostly used as a riding horse for hunting or eventing and therefore should be worked regularly and have a fitness program during competition to ensure that the horse stays fit and healthy.
Life Expectancy:
The Irish Draught breed of horse can live on average between 25 and 30 years.
Grooming:
The Irish Draught breed of horse has a fine coat. Regular grooming is essential to keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Origin:
The Irish Draught breed of horse is originally from Ireland, but was developed from horses that came from Spain, France and Flanders in the 12th century. Early in the breed's development, Spanish stock was brought into Ireland, along with other European horses during the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172. Over time it developed into all-round farm horse, and was also used for hunting, which the Irish loved to do.
Today the Irish Draught breed of horse is also bred in the UK under the Irish Draught Horse Society, and is crossed with Thoroughbred lines to produce a faster event type horse with better scope over fences
