Irish Draughts... tell me EVERYTHING!

We have an RID almost black white face he's a great horse he's my OHs hunter he calm will hunt all day but really saves himself for that he hates schools so we don't go in them ( he was shown I don't think it suited him it's left Him very stubborn about schooling)
He very calm and self aware when a tree fell on him out hunting he stood to be rescued never panicked just waited for his human to sort it out .
He's amazing in traffic nothing phases him.
He knows his size hes a very square 16.2 and before he came he had learnt he need not go where we wanted to lead him he was naughty to handle he was angry with people when I bought him but once he settled with us and our system he became the most fabulous horse cheeky friendly and fun a real pal.
I love him to bits and will buy another for my OH when the time comes .
The worse thing about him is he's a very good doer he's 200 kilos lighter now than when I got him its hard work to keep him slim.
 
After years of TBx's I bought a 5 year old RID at the end of last summer. He is by Dunkerrin Grey Mist - GS Carrabawn View and Alf looks just like him. He's quite small - 16.hh and very flashy - iron grey with white socks and tail!! I can't do photos but have some pics in my user albums.
Alfie is probably a bit sharper than the average, he's a brilliant jumper despite his wobbly and ancient Mum :rolleyes: and has never refused anything so is a great confidence giver.

He has pretty good paces, lovely chunky legs, sound as a pound so far - my other horse has had suspensory problems so I wanted a sturdy type and is totally non-spooky.

The downside is that he can be bargy, bang his door and be a bit food-obsessed! His manners are much better now he's in a settled home. My friends were surprised that I bought him but I've no regrets, he's great fun and no plod. :D:D:DGood luck with yours!!
 
Got my Mouse (18hh) when he was 14 and after I had been out of horses for some time. He was second horse for one of the Masters of a local hunt. Was the horse of a lifetime, very handsome, lovely mover, as straight as a dye. When we went to see him, my husband and I were taken aback at his size, and concerned that he would take charge of me! He came on long term loan and never left, and was put to sleep at 32, he told me one day that he would like to go. Mouse loaded himself, unloaded himself, stood quietly at gates, steps walls whilst I got on, acted as a buffer zone for runaway ponies, whose riders steered them at his large bum, was the horse that everyone who had a concern about a fence to follow, never stopped...but also got very annoyed if anyone stopped in front of him, they got two tries at a fence and then he said "out of the way boys" and went, I remember one day jumping a ditch and at bottom of said ditch was the rider of the horse who had stopped...He also had a sense of fun, would pass anything on road, but in a quiet lane, used to delight at turning on a sixpence at a fallen branch, used to take charge and carry me up our local road, if he spotted the point to pointers coming back from the gallops, this was done a high speed trot, with head up one end, tail up at the other and snorting, the trainer used to be convulsed with laughter whilst swearing at him, as youngsters took off in all directions. But heyho there will never be another, Love your ID and he will love you .
 
To me Irish Draughts are just fantastic. My boy is your typical TB x ID and he is amazing, I think Id find it hard to go for anything without some draught in it!
It really does wonders for the temperment of a horse.

Without Irish Draughts, irish breeding would be nothing but with them it is the best in the world. They are perfectly capable of making it to the top in showjumping but are just a little bit slow to make it to the top eventing (but still more than capable of making it to a decent level) hence the cross with the TB.

But I think its the temperment, their hardiness (they are usually very good doers) and the way they do really go out of their way to try and please! I think you would find it hard to find someone who has a bad word to say about ID
 
I have one and think she is awesome! Lovely friendly nature and an amazing jumper! Sadly though I'm trying to sell her as my legs are just never going to be long enough :(
Please can someone stretch me??
Here she is looking beautiful! Excuse the numpty rider :)
DulcieActiveRider.jpg
 
Like you OP I was a TB person as my last three were Thoroughbreds.
I bought my ID x 16 months ago after a five year gap when my last horse died. I never thought I would again find my perfect horse but my boy is everything and more. I'm madly in love with him. He is the most amazing horse. He will be 6 at the end of this month and although we had a few issues initially with him being a bit bolshy and head strong to begin with, once he was given some clear direction and lots of handling (as he tended to get bored easily and seemed to need lots of variety and challenges to keep him amused) he has turned out to be the most gentle, sweet natured and affectionate boy. He is by far the most intelligent and curious horse I've ever met, but also the most lazy so at least I know if he ever decides to tank off he won't go very far (unlike my previous TB's). He loves to learn new things and is so eager to please and laps up praise like a puppy. I have found him very easy to school as a result and he is picking up things very quickly and easily.
Plus he is also bombproof out hacking which seems to amaze everyone considering his young age.
Mine is very big as he was 18.3hh when last measured but has grown since and I'm told he will keep growing and filling out until he is about 7 or 8 and will be at least 950kg on maturity.
As he is constantly changing shape I bought a saddle with an adjustable gullet (Keiffer) as he is medium wide but will certainly end up much wider than that.
I found mine did take a while to get to know and for him to gain my trust but once he did then he would do anything for me I'm sure. He is a wonderfully loyal horse and I will never part with him no matter what.
He does have lots of feathers which I trim off completely and last winter he was not clipped due to illness and was like a woolly mammoth.
My OH loves animals but has never been horse obsessed like me but he is so smitten with my boy as he says he is more like a dog than a horse. I'm a true convert and can't recommend the ID's highly enough.
Good luck with yours. They are the most amazing breed.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Ilovefoals said:
Mine is 5, bought him last year from Janet George as a 4yr old. He's given me back all the confidence I lost with a quirky wb. He's in a wide saddle but was easy to fit. Still growing and has a cheeky sweet personality. He can be spooky and looks to me for confidence but he has a heart of gold.

Handsome boy, who is he by ?
Click to expand...

He's by Kensons Aragorn out of a King Elvis mare. I just adore him!
Click to expand...
 
It's so nice to hear the praise for the irish draught temperament. I have been owned by my arab mare for 8 years and still have her but I now also own an ID x. Bought my lad at 6 months old and he is super:) Very loving and mostly calm. He is 2 and just over 16 hands so will be a big lad! I am really looking forward to getting him out and about in a couple of years time. This is the lad in question.
 
My mum had an IDxConnemara and he was a complete gent, could turn his hooves to anything and had such a sweet nature :D He was easy to do in all ways and TBH if I hadn't already had my lad I'd have had him away from under her ;) Also he was incredibly handsome which always helps :D
 
I have an elderly tb x Id and I love the id parts. Everyone who meets her loves her instantly. Nicest horse in a person sense ever IMO
 
Love 'em! Had my ID x TB for 23 years since she was 4. Have a look at IDHS(GB) website for a chat with all the other ID lovers.
 
dollymix said:
I have one and think she is awesome! Lovely friendly nature and an amazing jumper! Sadly though I'm trying to sell her as my legs are just never going to be long enough :(
Please can someone stretch me??
Here she is looking beautiful! Excuse the numpty rider :)
DulcieActiveRider.jpg
Click to expand...

Can I have her please, she's lovely!! :D I'm almost 5' 11" so would be perfect for her ;)
 
Haha she's far too nice to give away ;)
If I could find a way to shrink her down a few inches I wouldn't dream of parting with her!
Irish draughts will always remain one if my favoured breeds though. I used to livery on an ID stud farm and it was their lovely horses which inspired me to get one.
Generally speaking, all the draughts I've known have been nice people and fantastic jumpers. I think they fall into two distinct categories now though. One is very traditional and more 'heavy', the other is finer, more 'sport horse'. mine is definitely the latter! lol :) They're certainly not plods either! I think some people expect them to be kick Along rides but most of the draughts I've known (with a few exceptions) have been characters with scope and athleticism
 
Have lost count how many times I have said this, you really cannot beat an Irish Draught, I've had my gelding for 5 years and could not wish for a better horse, he's given me all the confidence in the world, will turn his hoof to anything, does jumping up to 3ft 6 and dressage currently novice level :)
 
I am so pelased to say I bought him!!

Thank you for all your advice. He will be comming home in a few weeks.

He is by Annaghdown Star for the perosn who asked about his breeding.
Lots of Pics will follow when he arrives. I am VERY much in love.

He needs a saddle so any advice on what all you ID owners use??

Thanks
P x
 
My 17hh IDxTB (only got a sniff of the TB bottle) uses an old Towe spring tree 18 inch saddle. It, like he, is a sofa of a thing. And when he gallops, it's like being on air or wheels, soooooo smooth with their low ground covering stride. His fave thing, a long ploughed field or some stubble to go bananas speed wise.

Here's Marcus, he's 20 now so only goes out for noodles as he's got arthritis in near hind.
NB he was 16.2 when we got him at 6 but 17 hands by the time he was 8

 
I have a 4 yr old ID X - her sire is 'Simply The Best' owned by a HHOer. She is gorgeous and bold and nosey - I am just starting her at themoment and she is taking everything in her stride.



I lost my 17yr old mare sadly last summer - she was an ID x - her sire was Ard Grandpa RID.

 
Last edited:
I always liked Ard Grandpa.

I can't imagine buying anything that isn't ID/IDSH these days.


Congratulations Pilib :D
 
blood_magik said:
if he's still got some growing to do I would buy something adjustable.
mines still filling out so he's in a bates caprilli jump saddle
Click to expand...

He is 8, so fingers crossed he has finished growing. He does need to lose a few pounds though so his shape will be changing that way.

I have an old 17.5 Jefferies to try on him as a temporary measure until I can get the saddler out.

Thanks
 
Never had anything by him, SO FAR, but I've always thought he's one hell of a horse :D Had one by another Silver Granite son though.
 
YasandCrystal said:
I have a 4 yr old ID X - her sire is 'Simply The Best' owned by a HHOer. She is gorgeous and bold and nosey - I am just starting her at themoment and she is taking everything in her stride.
Click to expand...

I have just bought a 3 yr old IDxTB filly by Simply The Best :D She is also gorgeous, bold & nosey!

She is my second IDx that I have had the pleasure of owning. My first I sadly lost at 3yr old due to a broken shoulder. My brother has a 4 yr old full ID and all three's temperaments have been fantastic.
 
Tia0513 said:
I have just bought a 3 yr old IDxTB filly by Simply The Best :D She is also gorgeous, bold & nosey!

She is my second IDx that I have had the pleasure of owning. My first I sadly lost at 3yr old due to a broken shoulder. My brother has a 4 yr old full ID and all three's temperaments have been fantastic.
Click to expand...

Oh how interesting. Does yours boot the stable door for attention? Mine had never been stabled for any amount of time when I got her and she immediately showed this habit. I read that 'Simply The Best' does this -funny the traits they can inherit :D
I am hoping my girl will grow 0- she is around 15.1hh - her dam is 15.3hh. 16hh would be perfect, but I maybe dreaming unless she has a late spurt. Have you a pic of your filly?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top