Considering ISH as an amateur/beginner

[NYP]

Hi,

looking for some input from folks out there. My daughter (14Yo) and I (44 YO) have been riding for over a year now. She’s starting to jump and we’ve been leasing until now. I am in a program as well but I do enjoy lots of trails and ground work. We have been reading as much as possible on riding, conformation and behavior and we feel that we are ready for the responsibility that comes with horse ownership.

We’ve been looking for a horse for a bit while (Warmbloods, OTTBs mostly). (family horse for now until we can move to a home with a barn. Boarding fees in NY can be quite high).
we have focuses our attention to Irish Sport Horses. They seem to be ideal for us to learn the ropes through a program while enjoying a horse that feels comfortable on its own skin in the ground. They seem to be highly praised by those who have had the chance to own one. We’d be willing to travel if we had a chance to get into the ISH community.
My questions are:
1. Can you see it sound for beginners to look into caring for an ISH?
2. How do you get to have a conversation with the ISH community about reputable breeders and sellers?

 

[Red-1]

Congratulations on taking your step into horse ownership!

I'm afraid there is no easy answer to your question. The term ISH covers a whole load of horses. My Jay was on a green Irish book as an ISH, but was actually half Selle Francaise. It is more about being bred by horses approved in Ireland than an actual breed.

Even a pure ID, I have known some that would be suitable and some that would certainly not! Some are actually good competition animals, with hot temperaments to match. Some are heavy and steady. Some heavy and hot, come to that.

It is a bit like asking if an Irishman is good as a husband. Some will be, some won't.

I would concentrate on the horse rather than the breed. Also, I would consider the over 10s, as they have lived a bit of life and will have got away with the toddler tantrums (hopefully, not always).

I don't know how you would source a good one in Ireland from the US. I had enough trouble sourcing one locally as the adverts are not reliable. I went on an Irish trip twice and came home without one, although for me it was a £20 trip on Ryanair, so it didn't matter.

 

[Mule]

ISH can be great horses for non experienced owners. You generally want a cross with a higher percentage of Iriah Draught than thoroughbred.

If you want to avoid a warmblood that is papered as an ISH you have to look for the acronym TIH (traditional Irish horse) on its passport. Here is a website of a TIH society in Ireland. http://www.traditionalirishhorse.com/

This is the website of Chris Ryan. http://www.scarteen.net/ He is a breeder and producer of TIH eventers. He is someone reliable and helpful to contact to get advice on suitable horses to purchase.

 

[mini_b]

As a beginner I don’t think you need to be so breed specific, more height/type specific and are they the right temperament.
Are they suitable for beginners?
are you able to try in different scenarios before you buy?

 

[Quigleyandme]

I have two Registered Irish Draught youngsters which I bought as weanlings. One is huge, rock steady and sweet tempered and the other is small, bold and independent. The Irish horse really is a very broad church but good luck in your search. I think you will find the Irish very keen to help you.

 

[NYP]

Thank you Red. I am sure there are some things you can expect of an Irish husband LOL. I have found that some horse dealers throughout can be quite a bunch. That's probably the reason why you are always better off getting a horse from someone "you know".

Thanks for the info Mule in the Manger. That is a good way to start. We have sat on different horses for trials. Vetting has been an issue. From "kissing spine" on OTTBs to Sarcomas on Black warmbloods to hunter masters that can't stay still on the hunt. All these horses had their own personalities and I couldn't generalize but I can see some trends that come with the breed. Generalizations are wrong but they exist for a reason. I don't believe we pretend to shoot for a Grand Prix or an Olympic Eventing Career. We don't want to be counting the amounts of jumps the horse has left. So Warmbloods don't have to be the goal. There are amazing TBs around but OTTBs are too prone to past injuries and growth issues. We know people in the Racing business and those horses don't get the love this industry expects from horse owners.

Coming in to this sport I saw it through the eyes of dog breeding. I don't care much for pure breeds since genetic problems are very common. A good old mutt is my favorite. Let Darwinism give us its best. Now I see that is not the practice with horses. Parentage is a big ruler for determining the outcome. Since a horse is such a serious investment (it's not cheap and it's a long term partner), I think its important to think throughly on what you will expect from them in the near future. I can't see ourselves buying a horse temporarily. It would be like selling my Pit because I now want to duck hunt. I know this is us right now as first horse buyers. Most people eventually feel like they need to move to a horse that will take them to the next level. That is why it would be ideal if we could underline that level and shoot for a horse that could take us there without going crazy because its not getting its thrills over chestnut logs. The more I read about TIH the more I see a trend. With enough ground work and a good program they "generally" seem to be an "all around" breed. Jumping is fun, but people tend to recant the small things when they talk about their horses.