djlynwood
Well-Known Member
Why do people like horses from Ireland?
How different are they and what makes them like that?
How different are they and what makes them like that?
Horses from Ireland, what makes them special?
- Thread starter djlynwood
- Start date
Trish C
Well-Known Member
I take it you're talking about the ISH types bred over here?
The ones I've known are special...
Because to me they're a native breed
Because they can find mud and dirt in a sterile environment and get covered in it.
Because they'll jump anything even if they have a complete idiot (i.e. me) aboard
Because they're real characters
Because they're fairly straight up horses, relatively bombproof by nature
Because Ireland has a tradition of breeding fantastic horses.
Also, of course, because they're stunning.
The ones I've known are special...
Because to me they're a native breed
Because they can find mud and dirt in a sterile environment and get covered in it.
Because they'll jump anything even if they have a complete idiot (i.e. me) aboard
Because they're real characters
Because they're fairly straight up horses, relatively bombproof by nature
Because Ireland has a tradition of breeding fantastic horses.
Also, of course, because they're stunning.
lochpearl
Well-Known Member
where's the like button ^^^^^^^^^^^
BonneMaman
Well-Known Member
Basically what Trish C said but would add that because a lot of them have the Connemara pony running strongly through their veins they behave quite strongly like a pony, especially when you jump them.
Ponies tend to have a couple more brain cells than the average horse ;-) and sort of get themselves out of trouble when it comes to jumping.
Also, most of the horses from Ireland are broken earlier than over here, have seen LOADS more and experienced LOADS more by the time they are 4 or 5 compared to a lot of English horses - now that is not necessarily right and I tend to sit on the fence when it comes to the discussion around doing "too much" with a baby!
As for European breeds - sorry but wouldn't touch with a barge pole waaaaay too loony for me! I used to have a couple when I was a lot younger ..... prefer the sedate life now !!
Oh and they are hugely cheap at the moment!!
Ponies tend to have a couple more brain cells than the average horse ;-) and sort of get themselves out of trouble when it comes to jumping.
Also, most of the horses from Ireland are broken earlier than over here, have seen LOADS more and experienced LOADS more by the time they are 4 or 5 compared to a lot of English horses - now that is not necessarily right and I tend to sit on the fence when it comes to the discussion around doing "too much" with a baby!
As for European breeds - sorry but wouldn't touch with a barge pole waaaaay too loony for me! I used to have a couple when I was a lot younger ..... prefer the sedate life now !!
Oh and they are hugely cheap at the moment!!
only_me
Well-Known Member
Good quality ISH's are never cheap
they are special and majority very intelligent - and as above, a lot will have either ID or Connie blood somewhere in them, usually creating something that has a brain and a good honest temperment
honesty, genuine intelligent horses with a passion for mud - what more could you ask for?
they are special and majority very intelligent - and as above, a lot will have either ID or Connie blood somewhere in them, usually creating something that has a brain and a good honest temperment
honesty, genuine intelligent horses with a passion for mud - what more could you ask for?
jsr
Well-Known Member
Don't know about anyone else but my Irish boy is special just cos he's mine and he's nuts. Oh and he's not a ISH he's a little chunky Irish Cob and worth his weight in gold. Paid €800 inc delivery, tack and rug and I'd have paid ten times that amount to get the horse of my dreams. Will go over to Ireland again to buy the next one..but not for a long time cos he's never going anywhere!
Oh and he's not a ISH he's a little chunky Irish Cob and worth his weight in gold. Paid €800 inc delivery, tack and rug and I'd have paid ten times that amount to get the horse of my dreams. Will go over to Ireland again to buy the next one..but not for a long time cos he's never going anywhere!jessie7
Well-Known Member
I think they are beautiful horses and wouldn't have anything else!
I have two and they couldn't be more different - depends on how they are bred I guess.
My mare has a lot more 'blood' and is an event stamp. She is brave, talented but also rather quirky. Was a bit of a cow when she was a 4 yr old (6 now) as is super sensitive. However she looks after me team chasing and on the hunting field - she is with me for life.
I got a 4yr old in the spring. He was just backed and he is the kindest easiest horse ever. Not the sharpest or brightest horse but has the biggest heart. Will jump anything, hunts like a dream - so far..... He was sooo goofy when I got him but has grown into himself loads already.
I think they do much more than 'continental' horses because they have a much better attitude. Some people do under estimate how sensitive they are a bit.
I love Irish horses and would recommend them to anyone
I have two and they couldn't be more different - depends on how they are bred I guess.
My mare has a lot more 'blood' and is an event stamp. She is brave, talented but also rather quirky. Was a bit of a cow when she was a 4 yr old (6 now) as is super sensitive. However she looks after me team chasing and on the hunting field - she is with me for life.
I got a 4yr old in the spring. He was just backed and he is the kindest easiest horse ever. Not the sharpest or brightest horse but has the biggest heart. Will jump anything, hunts like a dream - so far..... He was sooo goofy when I got him but has grown into himself loads already.
I think they do much more than 'continental' horses because they have a much better attitude. Some people do under estimate how sensitive they are a bit.
I love Irish horses and would recommend them to anyone
Trish C
Well-Known Member
Oh don't get me wrong, they're smart, characters, bold and genuine, but bless them they're sensitive wee souls! My boy gets mortally offended and sulks for an entire day if he gets told off. He gets worried by people who he doesn't like, and if he feels unwell or is even a small bit sore (especially feet - when he kept pulling shoes) he really lets me know. But he's very honest in it all - if he is in a sitatuation that worries him, he's easily calmed down by a rub and some reassuring words
ebonyallen
Well-Known Member
My Girl is special, because she is kind,sensible,generous,stunning,gives her all,understands me, and seems to know something is not quite right with mum,gentle giant,great paces,can do it all,from dressage to jumping.Looks after me. and as a few people have said soooooo loves the mud, ID X Hippo and I love her to bits can't think about life without her, she is here for life
ellie_e
Well-Known Member
Ive got an ISH and a KWPN... ISH bold, brave awesome, very hardy etc. KWPN naughty, spooky and a complete idiot but beautiful paces, excellent breeding and super sj'er and is made of velvet
JenTaz
Well-Known Member
Taz is an Irish Draught, every irish horse i have met, has a wonderful temprement, always willing to please, they are the most chosen horses for the riding schools up where i live because they can be ridden by almost any one, they can be laid back for a more nervous rider but can get a bit more fiesty for someone more experianced at least thats my view.
Taz isn't the most intelligant horse in the world, but he tries to hard, which is what i love, a horse that wants to please makes for such a better horse rather than one you have to argue with, and he always seems to be happy, very food orientated loves the mud.
I just love all irish horses as they seem to all have a very similar but also very independent nature
Taz isn't the most intelligant horse in the world, but he tries to hard, which is what i love, a horse that wants to please makes for such a better horse rather than one you have to argue with, and he always seems to be happy, very food orientated loves the mud.
I just love all irish horses as they seem to all have a very similar but also very independent nature
StormyMoments
Well-Known Member
my ISH doesnt like to roll! which is always good
but he was very willing when broken he was lent over twice then sat on and didnt bat an eyelid
at the age of 4 we hacked him to a new yard and he met a road sweeper, double decker busses, chambers lorries, motor bikes, hgv's and he had never seen any and he didnt bat an eyelid just carried on
hes chilled, bold got a huge character, can be stubborn but has taken me to jumping 1.50m when im not a confident jumper
he isnt push button but he looks after his rider, he will throw him self about but he never does it to get you off and never has he just get excited
hes a bit of a gold fish, very loving, loves attention, loves to be ridden is a grumpy sod when he isnt
he has an immense free school jump and he will take him self over them just dump him in the school with a jump and he will go and the only way to stop him is by dismantling the jump
he wasnt cheap though we bought him as a 3 year old unbroken barely handled youngster and paid £2600 which isnt much in the scheme of things compared to other breeds but i feel its a lot for an unproven horse
i would defiantly have another he is literally a dude and you can do things on him that you would do on a pony and hes 17.2hh he just takes it all in his stride
that is why they are lovely horses to own, work with and ride
which is always good but he was very willing when broken he was lent over twice then sat on and didnt bat an eyelid
at the age of 4 we hacked him to a new yard and he met a road sweeper, double decker busses, chambers lorries, motor bikes, hgv's and he had never seen any and he didnt bat an eyelid just carried on
hes chilled, bold got a huge character, can be stubborn but has taken me to jumping 1.50m when im not a confident jumper
he isnt push button but he looks after his rider, he will throw him self about but he never does it to get you off and never has he just get excited
hes a bit of a gold fish, very loving, loves attention, loves to be ridden is a grumpy sod when he isnt
he has an immense free school jump and he will take him self over them just dump him in the school with a jump and he will go and the only way to stop him is by dismantling the jump
he wasnt cheap though we bought him as a 3 year old unbroken barely handled youngster and paid £2600 which isnt much in the scheme of things compared to other breeds but i feel its a lot for an unproven horse
i would defiantly have another he is literally a dude and you can do things on him that you would do on a pony and hes 17.2hh he just takes it all in his stride
that is why they are lovely horses to own, work with and ride
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nicolenlolly
Well-Known Member
Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
A lot of so-called Irish horses (cobs or more lightweight types) are Eastern European, but labelled as "Irish" as it helps them sell.
Fellewell
Well-Known Member
I had the honour of taking an ISH on loan and from the moment I collected him I knew I was in the presence of greatness. He outclassed me on a regular basis but he never let me know it.
There's a wonderful feature in H&H ' Blood , bone and a screw loose' about top-class hunters. Meath huntsman John Henry says by a TB out of an ID mare is the ideal stamp but his best horse is pure Irish Draught.
There's a wonderful feature in H&H ' Blood , bone and a screw loose' about top-class hunters. Meath huntsman John Henry says by a TB out of an ID mare is the ideal stamp but his best horse is pure Irish Draught.
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whiteclover
Well-Known Member
I love ISH's they so laid back temp wise but will jump the moon for you but are quirky. Im currently looking for my 4th ISH but I havent got a huge budget so its going to be hard to find a sane one.
lubuzz
Well-Known Member
I've got a ISH x Conn (Templebready), and wow im just discovering his jump now
Just coming out of his terrible 5 stage (read my past rearing posts!!!!) and he's becoming by far the best little pony i've ever had- even though hes not really a pony at 15.3 and still growing!!
Just coming out of his terrible 5 stage (read my past rearing posts!!!!
) and he's becoming by far the best little pony i've ever had- even though hes not really a pony at 15.3 and still growing!! 
Paddy Irish
Well-Known Member
My Paddy was born and raised in Ireland , well he was born in a place called Rosscommon? but was broken as a 4yr old by a lady at a place called Drung in Co Cavan , hope I've spelt all that right , i did have a look on the google satellite map and it's kind of in the middle of nowhere , but Paddy is loving , laid back , loves rolling in mud but he does get spooky if a novice rides him - seems to have a bit of a confidence crisis , but other than that i've decided he's really a gypsy cob in tb x id clothing!
scarymare
Well-Known Member
All mine have been ISH, generally ID x TB and have all been fantastic, careful, brilliant (some). Only had one KWPN in 30 years and that's the one in the PTS injury thread now. I rest my case.