Buying an Irish Draught

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BigRed

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I went to try a pure ID gelding last week. The ad said they were negotiable on the price, but when I made a very reasonable offer they decided they wanted the full price which I thought was just too much for me. However I really did like the horse as a type. I was surprised how light on his feet he was. Now I am looking for ads for other pure ID's and I am surprised how few are advertised. I would have thought there would be plenty to choose from. Unless I am prepared to go way up North.

Where are they all ?
 
I am looking to buy a young ID but need to sell my youngster first who will be too small. I posted in the breeding forum and lots of people were very helpful with suggestions. I have been in contact with Janet George (a member on here) from Indigo Irish Draughts and fingers crossed I can visit there. Def worth getting in touch with her or looking on her site. She has some lovely horses. Or have a search for the post in there and find the other recommendations. Or buy my Appy instead ; ) good luck shopping.
 
A 3 hour drive wouldn't put me off if I was going to a recommended yard and potentially seeing several horses. There's loads of draughts over here, but finding the quality ones is sometimes a challenge. I breed mine or buy foals from a breeder I know who has good mares and chooses stallions that I would choose for mine. I've just started a couple of 3 year olds that I bought from him at 7 months - trouble is, I like them so much I probably won't sell them :o
 
It's difficult to buy one that isn't a youngster. They are such a great breed that once people have got them, they tend not to sell them.
 
I have several, and part breds as well. Theres no other breed for me now, really (well, ID, IDx and TBs).

Have you looked on the IDHS(GB) website? Theres often some on there but I havent looked for a while. But contact some Irish Draught breeders, and see what theyve got for sale, might not even be advertised as many good horses never are.
Ive not got any for sale, though I keep getting asked if they are available lol, but contact breeders directly is the way to go.
 
I have an ISH (irish sports horse). Although, i cannot see any thoroughbred in him and he's basically a full irish draught. He is absolutly fab!!! Love him to pieces.

Have you thought at looking for an ish, as there are alot more of them about? I travelled 3 hours to view him and it was worth every min!!
 
I have an ID, shes not reg though (probably would've been double the price if she was!), I got her through sales - just luck I think! I dont know any other pure bred ID's but many crosses
 
Head over to Ireland if you're really set on a pure ID. Got my pure ID from Ireland and he's a gem, really well behaved for a 4 year old and not overly chunky either.
 
Miss Moose said:
Head over to Ireland if you're really set on a pure ID. Got my pure ID from Ireland and he's a gem, really well behaved for a 4 year old and not overly chunky either.
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They are not as chunky as many people think and so much nicer natured than the ID / TBs where you never quite know what you are getting temperamentally Ours is a hero.
 
As other posters have said people tend to keep hold of them !

a 3 hour drive wouldn't put me off one of Janet Georges horses to be fair - I'd walk it if I had to lol ! Rita Jennings is another one (swoon) Honestly I would maybe PM them and see if they know any one closer buy. The ID breed show is held "dann Sarf" so there must be plenty round them parts
 
Goldenstar said:
They are not as chunky as many people think and so much nicer natured than the ID / TBs where you never quite know what you are getting temperamentally Ours is a hero.
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I've got a Connie x TB and she has a complete split personallity she actually looks different depending on which breed she is wearing that day !!

I've put her to an ID and on thursday the product demonstrated that he is his mothers son lol !! On the plus side he doesn't have her feet his are fab
 
I would drive six hours or more for a pure bred Irish draught if you buy a young one you will have them more than a decade so whats six hours driving, really nice ones however are never cheap.
 
IDs are fantastic. My best hunter is ID x TB and I have an up and coming one who is mostly ID. I have started breedin my own as I found them difficult to find!

As others have said a 3 hr drive wouldn't put me off. I'd rather drive 3 hrs to somewhere that had been recommended and had several of the type I was looking for to see than make 3 x 1hr trips to see things that weren't right.
 
You don’t need to go to Ireland to buy an Irish Draught, there are a number of very reputable breeders in the UK (Janet being one of them – she is very knowledgeable and most helpful). The UK is working very hard to retain the origins of the ID and maintain the breed standard. A lot of WB & TB is being bred into the Irish versions, which means they are becoming more ‘sport horse’ in type.
Start by checking out the IDHS (GB) website – the breeders and the 'for sale' section.
But, there aren’t that many PURE bred draughts about – technically they are classed as a rare breed. they are wonderful horses, very kind and willing. Mine is fantastic and can turn his hoof to anything - jumping, dressage, showing, hunting and by far the best horse I have had :)
 
We have 3 pure breds and 2 half breds (straight TBxID) - they're fab :)

4 of them are Irish born and bred - I would say that they're not necessarily cheap in Ireland - the Irish appreciate a good thing when they've got it! The cheapest one we've got is the English one!

I love the fact that you can fine tune your choice of draught by its breeding - we have a Fast Silver boy and he is everything we've come to expect from Fast Silver breeding - good looking and good mover (known for producing show horses) but not the quickest on his feet (not known for producing Sjers!) - very powerful over a fence and careful, but he'd be useless in a jump off lol!

Could you post your requirements OP and see if anyone on here knows of something suitable? We like horse hunting!!
 
I also have 3 I.Ds a 12yr old & two 18month old youngsters, they,re very addictive you know.As previous poster said have a look on the IDHS website,go to menu & then to breeders. You could try contacting some in your area,they may have something for sale that is not advertised.
Good luck in your search but be prepared to travel for something you realy like,we are in the midlands and my babies came from Yorkshire and Wiltshire.
 
OP, When you eventually find your ID and get to know him, you will realise why they are never on the market !

Had my 2 all their lives and was offered an open cheque for the Embla George gelding after showing him at the breed show on Uttoxeter racecourse by an American woman. That was a long time ago but it just shows how brilliant the irish draught is. The woman told me she had been looking all over the UK and could not understand why owners were so unwilling to take her money.

Needless to say the horse went back on the lorry and sped off down the M6 home ! Husband of the time wasn't impressed though, he would sooner have the money. I got rid of the husband, kept the horse.

In 2004 I was horseless, lost them both in the space of a week, old age and a tragedy. I spent a long time looking for another ID and couldn't even find anything near what I wanted. In hindsight I think I was trying to 'replace' my boys, which is simply not possible, but I was in such a bad place at the time I couldn't see how silly I was being.

As the others have said contact Janet George and Rita Jennings they may well know of horses that will never come to the open market. They are both lovely people with a vast knowledge of ID's. The ID website also lists breeders who would be happy to help you in your search.

I never did find my ID and went on to buy a horse that non of my friends could believe I had bought, but he has given a lot of fun. The want of another ID never left me and 7 years after losing my boys saw me at the Avanti Stud meeting Rita and the amazing Amorous Archie. My wish has come true and I have a lovely 8 month old foal, not pure ID as mum is unregistered and has cob/shire in her, but baby looks like a purebred and has Archie's temperament.

Good luck in your search and don't be put off by a young/inexperienced ID, a 4 year old ID will have more sense than the majority of 8 year old WB's and crossbred horses.
 
A visual testament to the temperament of the ID can be witnessed on Archie's facebook page.

The price of those mega expensive hoover thingys will be going up when Mr. Dyson finds out they can be used for cleaning horses !
 
KautoStar1 said:
But, there aren’t that many PURE bred draughts about – technically they are classed as a rare breed.
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My OH snorts in disbelief when anyone says that and responds: "Not around here they're bloody not!":D But it can be hard to find nice young IDs who are backed - a lot of the smaller breeders try to sell as weanlings or yearlings - and once people have one, they don't let go!

I DO run on youngsters and sell them backed at 3 or 4 - because that's what I most enjoy - the last 3 went to North Yorkshire, West Country - and Cambridge. ALL more than 3 hours away! It's worth travelling if ou have a clear idea of what you want - and what you are prepared to pay - and hence ensure you only make the trip if the breeder has something suitable.
 
Most people (and I don't mean the OP cos I don't know her budget) are not prepared to pay what is necessary for a backed/ridden away youngster especially if it also happens to be a good quality ID :D By the time I've kept mine for 3/4 years, then done all the work to produce them (which is the bit I enjoy too :)) I don't really want to sell them and if I did, I probably wouldn't get a decent return anyway. :) Just as well I like collecting IDs :D
 
I travelled 2.5 hours, twice, to Janets yard when I was buying Rhythm. Would do it all again as he's the best thing that ever happened!
 
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