|
ABOUT THE IRISH DRAUGHT
In the early part of the
20th century, the Irish farmer needed a more versatile horse than the
popular heavy draft. He needed an animal that could work the land
throughout the week, go fox-hunting all day Saturday, jumping anything he
faced, and then be ready to bring the family to church on Sunday morning.
It was from this need that the Irish Draught (pronounced "draft") was
born.
Over a century of
selection has produced a warm-blooded breed that is a very sound, sensible
animal with good bone, substance and quality. The Irish Draught is neither
as massive nor as heavily feathered as its name implies and has movement
that is smooth and free, without exaggeration, and not heavy nor
ponderous. Standing over a lot of ground, the Draught has an exceptionally
strong and sound constitution, great stamina and an uncanny jumping
ability. In addition, this breed possesses a fabulous temperament made up
of willingness, intelligence, docility and common sense.
Not only is the Irish
Draught a perfect companion mount for riders of all ages, but it possesses
the ability and versatility to participate in various levels of jumping,
eventing, hunting, driving events and dressage. It is all these
exceptional qualities that make the Irish Draught an invaluable and
irreplaceable element in the production of the highly successful Irish
Draught Sport Horse.
Irish Draught Horses
ABOUT 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 a top
caliber international athlete… Cruising, Cagney, Ado Annie, Eezy, Carling
King and Hopes are High are some of the shining stars of the Grand Prix
circuit, while Custom Made, Supreme Rock, Giltedge, Sailing, and more
recently, MacKinlaigh, Ballinakill Glory and Connaught have thrilled in
the eventing world. The Irish Draught Sport Horse is also the perfect
novice mount, with its temperament, athleticism and durability.
This cross, as well as
crosses with quality warm bloods or quarter horses or Arabians 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 (IDHSNA and IDHS-Can) as a crossbred
animal with a portion of RID (Registered Irish Draught) blood.
Irish Draught Sport Horses
BREED
CHARACTERISTICS
Type and Character
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. Standing over a lot of ground, it has an
exceptionally strong and sound constitution. It has an intelligent and
gentle nature and is noted for its docility and common sense.
Height
Stallions - 15.3hh to 16.3hh approx.
Mares - 15.1hh to 16.1hh approx.
Bone
Good, strong, clean bone.
Head
Good, bold eyes set well apart, wide forehead and long, well-set ears.
Head should be generous and pleasant, not coarse or hatchet headed, though
a slight roman nose is permissible. The jawbones should have enough room
to take the gullet and allow for ease of breathing.
Shoulders, Neck
and Front
Shoulders should be clean-cut and not loaded, withers well defined, not
coarse; the neck set in high and carried proudly, showing a good length of
rein. The chest should not be too broad and beefy. The forearms should be
long and muscular, not caught in at the elbows; the knee large and
generous, set near the ground, and the cannon bone straight and short,
with plenty of flat clean bone, and never back at the knee (calf-kneed)
i.e. not sloping forward from knee to fetlock. The bone must not be round
or coarse. The legs should be clean and hard with a little hair
permissible at the back of the fetlock, as a necessary protection; the
pasterns strong and in proportion, not short and upright nor long and
weak. The hoof should be generous and sound, not boxy or contracted and
there should be plenty of room at the heel.
Back,
Hindquarters, Body and Hind Legs
The back is to be powerful, the girth very deep. The loins must not be
weak but the mares must have enough room to carry a foal. The croup to
buttocks is to be long and sloping, not short and rounded or flat-topped;
hips not wide and plain. Thighs are strong and powerful and at least as
wide from the back view as the hips, with the second thighs long and
well-developed. The hocks are near the ground and generous, points not too
close together or wide apart but straight; they should not be out behind
the horse but should be in line from the back of the quarters to the heel
to the ground; they should not be over bent or in any way weak. The cannon
bone, etc. as for the foreleg should be short and strong.
Action
Smooth and free but without exaggeration and not heavy or ponderous. Walk
and trot to be straight and true with good flexion of the hocks and
freedom of the shoulders.
Color
Any strong whole color, including grays. White legs, above the knees or
hocks not desirable. |
.jpg)
