Irish draft horses

[horses13]

What are they like, laid back, forward going? What are they good/bad at generally. Do they make good cross's? How big would you expect an Irish Draft sire cross 15hh mare foal make?
All views welcome the good, bad and the ugly

 

[Barneykins]

Irish drafts can range from 15hh to massive - I've seen loads that reach 17.2. Generally they are placid, laid back horses that make incredible riding horses. Lots of competition horses are ID crosses (usually crossed with TB to give them a bit of OOOph). You would need to select a sire based on size & temperament to make sure that you get the type of foal you want

Forgot to say - I LOVE them!!!

 

[Switchthehorse]

Hi

i have an IDxWB her sire was ID and only 16hh but her dam was 17hh+ she has made 17.2hh already and still croup high! She is six. with the WB in her she is quite slow to develop both physically and mental and is a BIG girl. However i cant fault her for her nature, she is a bit hyper at time (arent the all) but she is like a pet dog on the ground so kind and gentle despite her size. I would always recommend Irish Draughts, nice substantial legs as well so not too fragile!

 

[horses13]

Irish drafts can range from 15hh to massive - I've seen loads that reach 17.2. Generally they are placid, laid back horses that make incredible riding horses. Lots of competition horses are ID crosses (usually crossed with TB to give them a bit of OOOph). You would need to select a sire based on size & temperament to make sure that you get the type of foal you want

Thankyou for that, just what i wanted to hear i think.
The bank of Grandma has bought a foal for my daughter, half brother to the one she currently competes.
The Sire was about 17hh+ the mare is a pacer but all her offspring are incredible showjumpers.
My daughter has long legs and wishes to 3 day event in the future. Her current pony is a real gem. We know many of her relatives that are fantastic.
We went for the Irish Draft cross for the height and something more suitable for inventing in my mind as i hate cross country.
The foal has his half sisters gentle personality but is much quiter.
I know nothing about Irish Draughts. We got him on recommendation of his breeder and we just plain liked him. It is now he is home i am starting to think more about it - what he will turn into.
I did not realise Irish Draughts came so small.
The breeder sold all his as they were all so big and took a lot of feeding lol.
I call him a foal but he is riseing 1.

 

[horses13]

Hi

i have an IDxWB her sire was ID and only 16hh but her dam was 17hh+ she has made 17.2hh already and still croup high! She is six. with the WB in her she is quite slow to develop both physically and mental and is a BIG girl. However i cant fault her for her nature, she is a bit hyper at time (arent the all) but she is like a pet dog on the ground so kind and gentle despite her size. I would always recommend Irish Draughts, nice substantial legs as well so not too fragile!

I am more reassured thankyou. I was after more substantial legs.

 

[CharlesMax]

I have just bought an 8 year old, 17.1, Pure ID. I initially only wanted an ID/TB but I am so pleased with my decision - he is a gentle giant with fantastic manners and has foward going, light paces for a boy with such chunky legs! He is quite green (as well as the rider!!) so we have had the odd scary moment when out hacking, but I suppose he needs to become familiar with his new surroundings!

I heard they are known for looking after their riders, so perfect for a novice like me.

I feel like I have a lovely companion as well as a very competent riding club/hunter.

 

[horses13]

I have just bought an 8 year old, 17.1, Pure ID. I initially only wanted an ID/TB but I am so pleased with my decision - he is a gentle giant with fantastic manners and has foward going, light paces for a boy with such chunky legs! He is quite green (as well as the rider!!) so we have had the odd scary moment when out hacking, but I suppose he needs to become familiar with his new surroundings!

I heard they are known for looking after their riders, so perfect for a novice like me.

I feel like I have a lovely companion as well as a very competent riding club/hunter.

That is so nice.

 

[JenTaz]

taz is a pure irish draught i got him as a three year old who had already been broken as i bought him from ireland, he's a gentle giant hes now five and standing at 16"2 and is still bum high :S they can grow huge my friend has one who is pushing 18.2 and is only five and is pure irish draught, but they are definately very sturdy as their legs arent very fragile, i mainly use taz for hacking but have done alot of jumping at home with him and he loves xc he believes he could have ran round badminton last weekend

 

[LMuirEDT]

I have a 6yr old, 16.3hh, pure ID, he's fab! Bought him as a 3yr old. I do mostly dressage with him and he's a REAL show off. Has lovely light paces for his size. He's taking his time to mature, one day he's fab the next he acts like a 4 yr old again. He does have a bit of a stubborn streak and u have to work with him, u definitely can't force him into anything!

I would definitely buy another ID or IDx.

 

[horses13]

taz is a pure irish draught i got him as a three year old who had already been broken as i bought him from ireland, he's a gentle giant hes now five and standing at 16"2 and is still bum high :S they can grow huge my friend has one who is pushing 18.2 and is only five and is pure irish draught, but they are definately very sturdy as their legs arent very fragile, i mainly use taz for hacking but have done alot of jumping at home with him and he loves xc

he believes he could have ran round badminton last weekend

lol
Sounding good. Ours is very bum high at the mo. He is very gentle and has bonded well with my daughter.
My daughter is worried he will be too quiet. She is used to very lively ponies that have took a lot of work. I like the idea of quiet
I am feeling increasingly happier, thankyou.

 

[annbal]

Shadow is ID who is 16:2hh and a lovely horse both to ride and on the ground. He is 9 now and did not stop growing until 7 eck... we were very surprised as brought him as a cob to make 15:2 and he just kept growing up and out.
Sometimes he is a lion sometimes a mouse, but when the chips are down he really pulls it together and comes through for me.
ID are known to be very brave and gentle animals that love to work, but equally can lounge around in a field for weeks without being daft when they are ridden.
I love them and wouldn't change him for the world

 

[CeeBee]

My Harvey is pure ID, the traditional heavyweight type. He isn't quite 5 but is just the most gorgeous friend. Takes everything in his stride, doesn't spook, will pass anything on the road (diggers/combines/tractors/noisy trailers etc.).
He is no world beater, but appears to love lessons and tries so hard. For all he's so big, he has lovely light paces.
My very novice daughter was riding him round the field on Monday. She was determined to get him to canter. But her balance was lacking and she kept losing her stirrups, so he would just gently stop until she regained her balance, then off he went again!
Going to start a new thread entitled 'Show us your ID's', to encourage everyone to post their pics - there have been several threads like this for other breeds, but haven't seen one for ID's yet.
OP - good choice - show us your pics!

 

[Witchy]

I love them too, I'm learning on my cob but then want to progress to my dream horse, an Irish Draft

 

[lochpearl]

I have two, one is pure ID with Kind of Diamonds and Irelands Pride lines. Unfortunately after having him for 5 weeks he did his collateral ligaments in his coffin joints, he then had 9 months of box rest, he was so mannerly and quiet on box rest, never once complained and we made the best of friends. He was only just 4 when it happened. Before it happened he had paces to die for and was a complete superstar, he is about 16.2/3 now and overweight due to the box rest. He is now coming back into work and generally has been a star. He is the most beautiful horse I have ever had and his temperament and manners are to die for. I wouldn't swap him for the world and if he only ended up as a pet then so be it, but he is with me for life.

My second horse is ID x warmblood x TB, again fabulous temperament to ride, doesn't get silly or phased, he does like every horse have his moments but he is safe and very willing and extremely genuine. You could put up a 5ft fence and he'd still try jumping it, even if he went through it. He is relatively new to me but he will make a fab allrounder and would affiliate in any discipline. He is learning manners on the ground as he was allowed to get away with murder before and would bite and give threatening faces. This has pretty much gone now but he is very protective over his feed and can look very scary when you walk into his stable with his dinner. Again he is better than when I first got him and he learns very quickly.

Tbh I don't think that I would ever now go for a horse without ID in as they are the most wonderful horses, companions and pets and they will try their heart out for you.

 

[silverstar]

Im on my third and now looking for my fourth ISH. They have wonderful temperaments so laid back but with a heck of a jump on them and they also look after you. The thing is now eveyone wants them and the prices of an ISH are going up. Ive got a small budget. I would have a TB but Im 5ft 10in and look stupid on a 16hh and ISH's take up your leg very well so you dont look too big on them.

 

[chestnut cob]

What are they like, laid back, forward going? What are they good/bad at generally. Do they make good cross's? How big would you expect an Irish Draft sire cross 15hh mare foal make?
All views welcome the good, bad and the ugly

Well... my IDxTB is by Banks Fee Daniel who was, I think, 16.3hh and a polo pony mare who was 15hh. He is 17hh...

I love him to bits and would have another (which is more than can be said for Welsh Ds... one of those was enough to last a lifetime!). He is stubborn, bossy, spooky and would happily spend all day star gazing but he tries so hard when he understands what you want of him. He 's lovely on the flat and really enjoys that but can be a bit tricky to jump. Needs riding every step the way and he's very sensitive so if he senses you aren't 100% convinced, he does stop. But we're getting there Great to hack, does a bit of everything but has to think it's his own idea ;-) He's a great horse to have around and generally described as "just a really nice chap"

A couple of recent gratuitous pics:

 

[Switchthehorse]

My daughter is worried he will be too quiet. She is used to very lively ponies that have took a lot of work. I like the idea of quiet.

if yours is anything like mine you will get the best of both worlds! at six she is very calm to handle and in the arena plods like a beach donkey, take her hunting.... well i lasted 100 yards before i came off she went mental - note to self dont do that again in a hurry! When she is in the open countryside she is incredibly fast, can be spooky at times and still very green but I also know if someone is tanking off beside me in the arena she will probably stand still and watch them wondering what all the fuss is about

Lets face it all of them are different but I have been told once you form a partnership with an ID it is one for life and they will look after you no matter what.. it does take a while for that partnership to set in stone though and I am looking forward to the day when it does with my girlie

 

[horses13]

Some lovly stories. I am convinced we have done the right thing now. This one is her last - thankfully - until it gets too old at which time it will retire with us.
They had an instant bond. I do think a bond is important to get the best out of each other.
To the person that asked for pictures of Irish Drafts, thankyou. I have had a look and apreciate you doing that.
I am not brave enough yet to put his pic up. He is not in the best of conditions as yet and as he is new to us i would take any comments to heart and worry over the slightest thing. I was looking at what he could be.
The pony my daughter has at present changed so much in a few weeks with us her breeder did not recognise her. Again with her i saw what she could be although she has gone way beyond all expectations.
The new one definately has the Irish Draught temperament from what i have read.
I suddenly feel excited. I just hope my daughter does not grow too quickly out of her mare before he is old enough to be ridden.

 

[canteron]

I have a 16hh Mare RID. She is lovely, very comfortable, loves to jumps, looks after you when riding and is incredibly nosy - in some ways more like a labrador than a horse.

HOWEVER, like all the pure Irish Drafts I know (which is about 5 mares & geldings really well), she is clever, bosy and looky/spooky if you don't keep her entertained out riding ... I think people do sometimes underestimate how clever they tend to be ... they learn quickly both good and bad ... and their sense of fun may not always coincide with your sense of fun!!

 

[lochpearl]

I have a 16hh Mare RID. She is lovely, very comfortable, loves to jumps, looks after you when riding and is incredibly nosy - in some ways more like a labrador than a horse.

HOWEVER, like all the pure Irish Drafts I know (which is about 5 mares & geldings really well), she is clever, bosy and looky/spooky if you don't keep her entertained out riding ... I think people do sometimes underestimate how clever they tend to be ... they learn quickly both good and bad ... and their sense of fun may not always coincide with your sense of fun!!

You are SO right!!!!!

 

[HumBugsey]

A real Irish Draught should be able to do light farm work during the week, hunt on Saturday and go to church on Sunday, now if a horse can do all that then they've gotta be good!

 

[JenHunt]

I have an IDx (cross what we don't know). He's a very similar stamp to my friend's RID though so he can't be far off. Both are 16.2hh, mine is 16 and friends is 7.

Both horses are fab. laid back gentle horses, but they've plenty of get up and go. they're lovely willing horses with enough spark to be fun but they're not sharp or spooky or silly (well not in a bad way!). Ron can be stubborn, and Jack can seem a bit introverted, but I think that's more their personalities than breed type. They're both really clever and will use their weight to get the better of you if they so choose.

Both horses are as sound and tough as they come. Ron hunts 2 days a week in winter and has only once had an off day (well, one evening to be precise!) afterwards. And even when he hit his knee on a jump going XC at BE100, and turned us both over he was unaffected. And, even at 16, Ron remains to be convinced that he is anything but a 4 yo racehorse! I'm sure your daughter wll have a lot of fun!

 

[JenHunt]

A real Irish Draught should be able to do light farm work during the week, hunt on Saturday and go to church on Sunday, now if a horse can do all that then they've gotta be good!

my thoughts exactly!

 

[sbsmiths]

We bought our 5 yr old ID x tb last September and he's out of Riverbank (no longer with us) and a TB 16hh mare. He's 17hh and definitely bum high! He's a delight to ride and getting better by the day - he's wonderful to jump - a real confidence giver to my not so confident daughter. As previously mentioned, can be very stubborn and also very silly but he's still a baby so we forgive him, except when he nips!! Intelligent but will try it on to see if he can get away with it, e.g. not loading. An absolute dream to own and looking forward to many years with him. All the best with this wonderful breed.

 

[canteron]

A real Irish Draught should be able to do light farm work during the week, hunt on Saturday and go to church on Sunday, now if a horse can do all that then they've gotta be good!

My point exactly - the ones I know are happiest if kept busy!

 

[irish_only]

How absolutely lovely to see so many contributions on such a lovely breed. I have been breeding them for 20+ years and have yet to experience anything but a 'yes I can' attitude. Lovely, lovely four legged friends, kind, gentle, intelligent and with a superb sense of humour. Wouldn't have anything else.

 

[chestnut cob]

have yet to experience anything but a 'yes I can' attitude. .

Mine has more of a "yes I can but only as long as you're absolutely sure you really really want to, and you promise me there aren't any tigers, lions or crocodiles there, and that you won't leave me all on my own when we get there.."

 

[Irishlife]

I have a 16hh Mare RID. She is lovely, very comfortable, loves to jumps, looks after you when riding and is incredibly nosy - in some ways more like a labrador than a horse.

HOWEVER, like all the pure Irish Drafts I know (which is about 5 mares & geldings really well), she is clever, bosy and looky/spooky if you don't keep her entertained out riding ... I think people do sometimes underestimate how clever they tend to be ... they learn quickly both good and bad ... and their sense of fun may not always coincide with your sense of fun!!

I had to laugh, 16.3hh heavyweight pure RID Suze came to stay in my foaling box with her new baby during bad weather from my neighbours. Suze insisted that neighbour (hulking 6foot 4 farm lad) and me (not slight either) looked at her new baby and gave her praise. She did this by nudging me so hard with her head I bumped into hulk farm lad and the pair of us went flying on our backsides in corner of stable. I swear Suze was laughing her head off. Personality in buckets!!! LOve them

 

[Nari]

I have a 16hh Mare RID. She is lovely, very comfortable, loves to jumps, looks after you when riding and is incredibly nosy - in some ways more like a labrador than a horse.

HOWEVER, like all the pure Irish Drafts I know (which is about 5 mares & geldings really well), she is clever, bosy and looky/spooky if you don't keep her entertained out riding ... I think people do sometimes underestimate how clever they tend to be ... they learn quickly both good and bad ... and their sense of fun may not always coincide with your sense of fun!!

This.

A huge word of warning though - they'll break your heart because they become far more than just a horse. Mine means the world to me & I've cried far too many tears over him.

 

[silverstar]

Anyone know where i can get a sane (they are all sane i know). ID or ISH. Budgets small tho. Prefer gelding.