Advice on Irish Draughts

NeverForEver

NeverForEver

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Joined
1 August 2013
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16
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Fife, Scotland
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I am currently thinking about moving up a horse as I have really outgrown the 14.3hh Irish cob I have ridden since I was about 14 (I am now almost 19). My current horse can be pretty hot-headed and is really quick off the leg but I trust him 100% and we've had some great fun.
So I was just wondering if people have any advice on the temperaments of ID's as I am looking at them as a possibility for a next horse. Would this be suitable or too big a jump from what is basically a pony? I'm looking to try more things, perhaps cross country, small shows and lots of hacking so basically I'm looking for an all-rounder.
Could any Irish Draught owners give me a bit of info about what they're like? Obviously I know no 2 horses are the same but a bit of general advice would be lovely.
Thanks! :)
 
One could accuse me of bias - as I probably hve more pure-bred Irish Draughts than anyone else in the country - but temperament IS one of the chief reasons to have an Irish Draught! There IS the very odd 'hot' one around (but there's usually a reason that has nothing to do with the breeding!)

An example: this is a 4 year old Class 1 mare by the well known stallion, Avanti Amorous Archie. She was backed in early Spring so has been under saddle about 4 months! We took about 50 pics of her last week in 10 minutes and at least 45 of them were suitable for using in an advert - that's how consistent she is! They're not all THAT good that fast - but we've probably backed about 30 home-bred pure-breds and I can't remember anyone falling off ANY of them during backing (whereas I can recall quite a few TB x and Warmbloods!!)

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(Before any of the button pushers try to claim I'm trying for a free advert, she IS advertised on H&H right now - search for Irish Draught mare in Dressage or All-Rounder!)
 
My Dan was a just backed 4 year old. Way beyond my ability having never had such a young horse.

Quickly found him very easy to train, brave and capable.On top of this he is a reel "cuddle horse". He has made me feel quite the horseman.
Can't recommend them enough.
 
Well I can only go from the ID side of my horse.

Very intelligent, too much so at times! picks things up very quickly, quite cheeky and loyal, loves attention and people.

Once you've ridden an ID you know what riding a horse 'should' feel like, powerful yet light, lovely easy paces yet a horse that knows its mind, you can read every thought from there eye.

I'd love another just like him, everything about him puts a smile on my face and although he was a bit of a rouge in his younger days now he's just one big soft grey lump!

ID,s are smart well built horses and a lot come in the best colour to have....yes thats grey!

I mean what is there not to love from looking at Janet George's grey above,

The question is ..why not have an ID?
 
Absolutely love ID and IDx. My current mare is an ID x Connie. She's can be a spooky old toad and a bit of a worrier, but my goodness she is a magnificent mover and a delight to school. She's also as good as gold with her manners on the ground. I spent two hours trying to catch her yesterday in the pouring rain though, but I have been on holiday and she does this every time!

I'm about to take on my friend's 3 yo ID x. Think she could be crossed with a cob but she looks very ID, where as my mare is finer.

Most of the best horses I've known and ridden have been ID or IDx and I think they're just fantastic.
 
I assume I have a ID x, that's what he looks like to me and everyone else but I don't 100% know his breeding.
I had a little 15.2 TB before and when this hulking lump was led out at work for me to ride I admit to being a bit shocked and not expecting at all to enjoy it!
He'd been out of work ages and wintered out very well "au natural" so he looked like a mammoth.
I absolutely fell in love and after he'd been smartened up I now see him as one of the most gorgeous horses ive ever seen!
He's a little nervous and spooky hacking but in fairness to him he's hunted all his life so been in groups and then dressaged with previous owner who never really hacked so he actually does very well hacking alone with no real fuss.
He has a lovely temperament and my daughter does loads with him including taking him to a local pony show when hers was lame- she was 11 and he's 16.2 competing against little ponies and he was an absolute angel. Im smitten with them, the only thing I would say is I find him a little strong at times (not often as he's polite!) and he's a bit difficult to hold together nicely sometimes for me. Next time round I will choose ID lines again for certain but I may go a little smaller.
 
I have an ID x WB and he's a complete treasure - his temperament is to die for, my 2 year old can lead him around the yard. He's very capable of doing anything that I'll ever be able to do and he's a beaut IMO! He's had his moments, obviously, but I've had him since he was 4 years old (now 12) and he's been fabulous for me, very easy. His paces are beautiful and he can pop a 5 bar gate from a trot! ;)
I'd have a field full if they were all like him but he's one in a million :)
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ETA - He's a pleasure to hack, not phased by anything, in fact I was once asked to let the police know if ever I decided to sell him as he's just their type!
 
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I'm on to my second IDxTB and they have both shown exceptional temperaments. My brother also has a full ID and he is just the same. Very sweet natured, willing and a pleasure to be around. Also very versatile! :D
 
My girl is I/D X T/B and can truly say is is the kindest intelligent horse I have ever had the pleasure of owing. I have only one leg and this amazing horse walks at a snails pace beside me and looks out for me. I really think that you can not go wrong with a wonderful Irish Draught :)
 
Sounds exactly like my story.....I had a beautiful 14.1 Cob on loan, safe, sane and an amazing jumper. Unfortunately i had to stop loaning him (mainly due to me getting too fat to ride him!). I went to see a 17.1 IDX (Advertised at 16.1!). Well he's amazing. Calm and sensible with the odd cheeky moment, enough to keep it interesting but still perfectly safe. He does know his own mind and is fully aware of my inabilities but puts up with me admirably!

I did however feel phased at the beginning by his sheer size. this lead me to back off him for a bit and he started to get away with murder as for the first few months he did test me! With some lessons he soon got that I was in charge and for the last 3 years hasn't put a foot wrong. So maybe not going straight from 14.3 to 17.1 like i did (and a very solid 17.1 at that). He does ride quite small though so i felt at home pretty quickly.

He is a 'proper' horse though. Not one for pampering but that might just be mine. He is keen to work, but doesn't appreciate faffing. He is quite tricky to keep together as i am very short and he is very chunky but an absolute gentleman so this isn't too much of an issue. He has had some absolute beginners on him and behaves well.

He lives out 24/7 and (touch wood) is generally sound and healthy.

On top of that he has a great personality, generally mischievous but never overstepping the mark. Hacks brilliantly, recently took him to wales for a holiday and he trekked alone across hills and rivers etc with no problems and still stood nicely at the cafe half way round to let all the local children pat him while i had an ice cream. Jumps amazingly and dressage is, well, improving! Has the ability but can be a lazy toerag!

Can you tell I think he's amazing! True ID convert here!
 
super ted said:
He is a 'proper' horse though. Not one for pampering but that might just be mine. He is keen to work, but doesn't appreciate faffing. He is quite tricky to keep together as i am very short and he is very chunky
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Snap! Mine too is a shade under 17hh and has an XW saddle but is short coupled and has enormous shoulders - in the words of our saddle fitter he's built like a house and this has made finding a saddle quite difficult but *touch wood* we seem to have gotten a lovely saddle with the Albion we have. He hates too much fuss and faff though will stand to be groomed and scratched all day but only because he's too polite to create about it!

He LOVES food! :D and I do have to watch his weight...
 
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Hope this works, never done photos before.....just thought i'd join in with a photo......who could resist that face!

Reg IDSH, Sire Ebony Hill.
 
super ted said:
I did however feel phased at the beginning by his sheer size. this lead me to back off him for a bit and he started to get away with murder as for the first few months he did test me! With some lessons he soon got that I was in charge and for the last 3 years hasn't put a foot wrong. So maybe not going straight from 14.3 to 17.1 like i did (and a very solid 17.1 at that). He does ride quite small though so i felt at home pretty quickly.!
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I would definitely go for something more around the 15.3 - 16.2 mark haha! 17.1 would be huuuuge for me. ;)

Lovely story though, sounds like you're getting on great, thanks for sharing.
 
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