Irish Draft Horse intesrest

C

CharlesMax

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 March 2010
Messages
192
Visit site
I have been searching for a horse to buy for the past two months. I was set on finding an Irish Sports Horse but have just come across an Irish Draft which I quite liked - lovely personality and a lot more forward going than I thought! He is 17hh and has MASSIVE legs so I am confident he will be brilliant with carrying my 14 stone all day hunting. I would, however, like a good all-rounder:

Does anyone have any experiences with Irish Drafts to report - do they make good all-rounders?

Clueless of Buckinghamsire
 
Hi Victoria, no pics - he is a skinny rake, just having arrived from Ireland. After the journey and a tough season of hunting, he still has the most amazing personality. I tried him out today and loved his canter - he also seemed a lot more energetic than I imagined. I am sure he will look amazing once he has been fed and looked after for a month!

I know they make amazing hunters but I am not sure what they are like as eventers/RC horses?? He is pure Irish Draft.
 
What is his breeding? Janet George on the board breeds pure Irish Draughts and could advise you on your horses bloodlines. General rule of thumb is that a pure ID would err more towards being a true middleweight and are normally good all rounders. Can event at the lower levels but can struggle with the timing. Mine is ID x TB but his sire was quite heavy so mine is still a MW and keeping him "wind fit" can be a challenge. Far easier when I had pure TB's.!

And without teaching you to suck eggs - just bear in mind that a horse that is fit and upto weight is often quite different from one that is underweight.. and selling an underweight horse is often an old trick to keep the horse "under the thumb" when being sold.
 
i have a pure id and he is wonderful!! we do a bit of everything at rc level-he does dressage, jumping and cross country to a resonable level-just not the fastest in the world xc but very sensible!!
 
I have full ID, I wasn't particularly looking for a pure but he's fab!!!! Everyone loves him and when people find out he's a full ID he gets comments of 'oh a proper horse then!'. He can be stubborn but u just have to work round things (he is a youngster tho), no forcing him into anything. Regularly gets placed in dressage with good comments and only yesterday went xc schooling where he was fab. Go for it!
 
I've got 3 pure draughts and 3 ISHs, so you can tell I am fully committed!:) They make great allrounders and are good to event at the lower levels, but probably wouldn't be fast enough for much more.

I would be interested to know his breeding and how old he is? If he is a bit underweight the likelihood is that he has hunted hard last season, could do with a good worm dose, and he is also likely to have picked up a bug on the way over - I have never known one that hasn't, so if you do get him I would get the vet to check this and keep him isolated for a bit.

Bear in mind that when he starts to feel better in himself he may express it! But most IDs only do that for fun:D
 
Rowreach said:
Bear in mind that when he starts to feel better in himself he may express it! But most IDs only do that for fun:D
Click to expand...

Hmmm, just be aware that some IDs have a very warped sense of humour! And an ego that enters the yard 5 minutes before they do. I do love mine though :D
 
Rowreach said:
I would be interested to know his breeding and how old he is? If he is a bit underweight the likelihood is that he has hunted hard last season, could do with a good worm dose, and he is also likely to have picked up a bug on the way over - I have never known one that hasn't, so if you do get him I would get the vet to check this and keep him isolated for a bit.

Bear in mind that when he starts to feel better in himself he may express it! But most IDs only do that for fun:D
Click to expand...

I'd also turn him away for a month or so as although it's not too far as the crow flies, the change of feed, lifestyle and travel can take a lot out of them and as Row' says, can lead to them being run down so open to virus which can run and run if not treated.
In the old days when Irish hunters would come over regularly, we always said it takes six months for them to acclimatise properly but when they do, the improvement is amazing. Do remember to take before pics else you won't realise the difference once he's filled out and matured. Also, don't forget, if they say he's six, he's more likely five! :D
 
I have a 16.2 pure ID. He is brilliant. Never going to set the world on fire but absolutely brilliant for local shows and RC. Easy to do and keep weight on as well as tough and sane!

Their nature is very sensible and mine is very affectionate (for a horse).

Wouldn't buy anything else now
 
I'm an agent and ID's are hugely popular - all of the ID's I have sold to the UK have gone on to make fab horses for their owners and they all do everything to a very good level.

This is the latest chap to have gone (ridden by Vendor) 5yo RID gelding.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyyHbF3hiFM

Hunting with a very novice man (man had had 5 lessons .. ever)

GalwayDrainJump.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top