Please talk to me about ISHs and Irish Draughts

HeresHoping

HeresHoping

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After the loss of my boy I will be looking at buying a new horse in the next month or two. I have decided I don't want a TB again, I would like something with a bit more bone (and with no disrespect to all TBs, common sense).

I currently ride a baby IDxTB for someone a couple of times per week and think that this is the route I should go down. I am now approaching ancient, so cannot contemplate aiming for Burghley, and having done sweet f-a for the last three years because of crock horses (had a fantastic KWPN mare who was a complete noodle in every respect (but so much fun) that had double hind suspensory issues in the end but spent every other week off games, and then a TB with an SI joint that was beyond repair), perhaps a BE90 might be fun before I die.

What should I be looking for? Which lines are reputable? And, if I am allowed to ask this, are there any reputable producers? Is my paltry £3k budget going to buy me something I can have a great deal of fun on and achieve my ambition?
 
Funny, I won't ride anything without the common sense of a TB. But, horses for courses. You might wish to PM Janet George. She has very nice draught and crosses. She'd also have good contacts. If I was going for this type I'd contact her for sure.

Terri
 
No disrespect taken. TB's can be a handful. It's just all I know so I'm comfy there. I'm just not a fan of really having to work so hard to get what I want. Easy schooling, light contact, never spurs! I'm lazy like that! We have a lovely draught cross here but I hate riding him. Just too much work and I feel all over the shop. My husband gets a great tune out of him so all good.

Terri
 
ISH is a generic term. The assumption is that it is a straight ID x TB but the reality is that is a type, so you could have warmblood in there, connie, no TB etc etc. There are 3 different passports with the green being the one that shows 3 generations registered in what is effectively the top studbook, then blue - info missing and white, no parentage recorded.. but horse is still called an ISH. Equally, you can't assume you will always get a certain character. I have had numerous ID x TB and can say that not one has either looked like or behaved like any of the others! As a mix I prefer a TB stallion as they "tend" to be lighter and look more like a national hunt type TB, the other way with an ID stallion can look a lot heavier. I would focus on the breeding and the stallion more if you are interested in an ISH as there is a smaller pool of stallions and they do seem to stamp reasonably true to type. Please ignore most adverts saying King of Diamonds or Clover Hill lines. The vast majority of horses will show that breeding and both stallions are actually 2 or 3 generations back now! My horse at the mo is TB stallion x ID mare and is very light off the leg as have been previous horses. The one that took most work to lighten up had an ID stallion and looked almost like a pure ID, it is, however, just down to training as a generic trait that they all share!

In terms of budget, if you are looking at something under 16 hands you might find a youngster for that sort of money. I have no idea what sort of money Janet sells her for so will leave her to answer that herself. Irish Equine imports in Pangbourne would probably have horses around your budget but they are 4 or 5 year olds, green and just over from Ireland. we have bought some great horses there as David is pretty straight!
 
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I have a tb x ID and pure tbs too. The IDX was a lot more established when I got him than the tbs probably ever will be!

He is absolute dream but does not hack! At all! He jumps up to about 1m40 but courses I stick to 1m20. He is schooled up to medium dressage but could really go alot further!!
The only thing I have found with them is that they can be plod plod plod and then boom! Least a tb gives you more warning lol
 
i have a lovely ID x Arab. hes 6 now; was a bit silly when a youngster in the school but hacked out like a star....hes the kind of horse who needs his brain working ALL the time!

he was bred at the Touchstone stud but im not sure if theyr still on the go
 
Thank you again, all. Luci07, that is most illuminating, thank you.

In addition to the baby, who is about 16.0hh, I also ride a 16 y.o. ISH mare who is by Templetrine VII and her mother was Diamond Lady (King of Diamonds). She used to be a Grade C showjumper in her yoof but at 15.2 is too small for me. I have very long legs although I am not that tall at 5'8 so I need something that's a minimum of 16.0hh. However, I also am aware that I don't bounce quite as well as I used to, so see 16.2 about my upper limit.

Thank you for the advice on the budget. I'm going to have to put my prices up and find some more clients, aren't I?:)
 
I was a TB lover but currently have a ID x type and am completely smitten. Absolutely love them and wish you luck with finding yours op, fantastic decision! ;)
 
My youngster is a full ID, bought because my TBxTrak has had suspensory issues and I wanted chunky legs and a quiet temperament. Well, I've got the chunky legs!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

He is a character - a really fun horse but way sharper than I imagined! He's sensible in traffic but very forward-going and hot off the leg. He's got a fabulous jump and never said "no" to anything. Also he is short-coupled so should eventually do lower level dressage.Competitions are ahem! interesting... so don't be fooled that ID's are plods, mine is most certainly not. He's also barely 16hh so on the small side. :):)
 
I ride an ID x WB mare ..all 17hh of her. She's got beautiful big strides and although a bit dull to aids at the mo this is due to two years of no schooling and indifferent riders rather than her being a born plod. She's a complete pet to handle although somewhat spooky at random objects sometimes. She is a thoroughly lovely lady and I'm quite smitten. Although the ground is a long way down :eek: Good luck with your search.:)
 
I have an almost perfect (in my eyes) ID x TB. He can turn his hoof to anything and is far more talented than I would ever need but is equally happy going for an adventurous hack and local showing etc. He has enough spark to keep him interesting but not so much that everything is a chore. He cost me less than £1500 at 8 although I think he was a slightly lucky find. We'll never be winning the olympics but his is so much fun and has a personality to die for. He also has fantastically strong feet!:)
 
My last horse was a full TB who unfortunately had to be put to sleep last year. He was great but when horse hunting this time I, like you, decided I wanted something with a bit more bone (and less likely to cut themself on a blade of grass like my last boy!).
I wouldn't restrict myself to a specific breed / mix if I was you. I was looking for an ISH type with a budget of £3.5k. I have ended up with a lovely 6 year old 15.3" m/w gelding who is forward going but so sensible to hack and school / jump that I couldn't have asked for more. I have no idea of his breeding as his passport doesn't give any details on this unfortunately but to me that doesn't matter as much as his temprament and ability.
Have a look at Judi Thurloe's website as she may have something suitable in your price range or just above.
 
They are my absolute fave type - general IDxTB, good leg at each corner middle weights. Throughout the years, the ones I have dealt with were always lovely. Far from plods, sometimes firey, but always with a sensible head - they might spook, but would not spook into a dangerous situation!

I think you may well get something for your budget if you're not too worried about certain lines or having lots of experience. Prices are going to go up at this time of year though. We bought our last one for £3k at 4yrs old, he was a superstar from the word go, Clover Hill lines with Imperial Cavalier thrown in as his grandfather, which gives him wonderful long warmblood strides. He was bought as a first horse/hunter for my husband, and my stepson went from a 13.2 to him at 14yrs, and he was great for him. My mare cost a fair bit more, but had already done affiliated SJ and more schooling.

Both of mine would do any discipline at RC/lower affiliated levels without much effort. They are both sensible and traffic proof etc, although frequently pretend not to be sensible! They would also go a round handy pony course if you asked them.

This is the £3k one.. He is 17h.

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Hi, ive had experience of two ID x TB's. One I rode for a summer who was an absolute schoolmaster. Based on my experiences with him, I then went on to buy one, a mare who was out of Prospect Pride. She had the most amazing jump and was a fabulous competition horse, but a complete stress pot to handle. She also had the temprement that people mentioned earlier, whereby she would be completely calm and then for no reason would hot up and become totally fizzy. In the end she knocked my confidence so much hacking, that I sold her to someone who did low level eventing on her, which she was way more suited to.
 
I have an ID X TB she has a heart of gold.The ID is a versatile breed capable of most disciplines. They are valued most for the potential as an event horse when crossed with the TB. They are intelligent, gentle horses with plenty of common sence. They will give you their all and more, fantastic breed love them.
 
Ludoctro said:
Ilovefoals has a lovely big one called George :-)
Click to expand...

I'm really sorry but that did make me chuckle :o (ive just crawled out of soapbox ;))

Sorry on phone so this will be short, but I have rising 8 ISH (3/4 ID 1/4 TB on a green passport), she is the best :o

Kind, willing (when not in season:rolleyes:) and just plain lovely. She does everything I want (not much) but she is an old head on young shoulders type :)

Would never have anything else now ;) (bearing in mind prev horse was old and nutty DWB)
 
iv got an ISH whos sire is Saracen hill (pure tb) dam tb x id so shes a lot of tb with extra bone but nice attitude and safe.. full of stamina and very brave ! great mix id def buy again !
 
I share an ISH mare who evented up to intermediate but didn't quite have the speed to go further. Absolute monster of a jump on her, very lovely on the flat (even if she does find it boring!), and temperament to die for. When I eventually have the money for my own horse, I'll be headed straight for an ISH.
 
oh oh oh can I play? :p

I have an old fashioned type ID, big chunky boy with a lot of bone and a kind eye. 16.2(and a bit :D)

I keep being told from the saddler, vets, instructor etc that hes a very nice "person" :o.

He is extremely forward going, you dare even thing about contracting a muscle anywhere on your leg and you better be ready for the consequences :p but in saying that, he is really genuine and a super quick leaner. Works softly in a snaffle and is showing some potential for dressage :)


He is a nervous sort, a bit on the highly strung side, I guess could be described as a bit of a hot head :p Definitely not the relaxed chilled out sensible stereo type. But then I'm a great believer in you cant judge a horses temperament by its breed.

The only thing I would say is that he is a nightmare to get boots for. Even double xls have came up small :( :rolleyes:

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I have a fantastic full ID by Corran Ginger, Ginger Dick lines and he is 7 and just fab, bombproof, lovely nature etc...had a id x tb before him by king of diamonds and boy could she jump! They zfe lovely breed, would never have anytbing else now. X
 
I bought a 4 year old ID/TB from Judi Thurloe last year and I'm pretty pleased with him. He was one of her more expensive ones and is show quality. Despite having the ID breeding on the male side, he is very light, and particularly light of bone, although his body is more ID. He seems to just know how to jump automatically, and has already got 6 double clears at British Novice despite just starting out. Hes quite goey though, and very off the leg - I've never actually known a horse more off the leg, but he is really quiet to handle. He was bred by quite a renowned breeder in Ireland so perhaps that explains his type.

I had a previous ID/TB cross who was a nice mare, but prone to being clumsy/a bit stupid, although she too was a natural jumper.

I'd certainly buy something with King of Diamonds (his grandsire) close up again!
 
I have what is considered an ISH... dam is an ISH but stallion was KWPN. I'm sure with a rider/owner with a brain she'd be bloody fantastic (sadly I'm a numpty hacker with a tendency to fall off her when attempting anything in a school environment!).

The term ISH seems to be used so loosely now that I guess you could end up with all sorts really if you went down that route. Attributes I appreciate in mine are a sturdy build without being too much of a tank, great feet and a nice nature.

Good luck with your search. :)
 
I have a registered (GREEN passported) ISH by Star Kingdom(King of Diamonds) out of a TB mare. He has 3 half brothers who have all gone eventing.
I would love to event my lad but with a full time job and two kids it just isnt possible for me.
I would buy another ISH in a heartbeat. Safe and sane but good fun too.
I bought mine for £2100 as a 3.5yo and he is now a 16.2hh 7yo.
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