Tell me everything about Irish Draughts...

We always said the my big grey IDx reminded us of Margot Ledbetter from 'The Good Life'. She was rather straitlaced and somewhat bossy. A friend was taken by surprise when she hacked her out and on returning to the yard, the mare marched straight up to the mounting block for her to dismount, because I preferred to get off there.
 
ImmyS said:
I have just put a deposit down on a beautiful 3 year old Irish Draught gelding by Fintan himself.

Probably been done before, but just a light hearted post about people’s experiences and stories with their Irish draughts.
Pictures always welcome!! ??
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Where's the photo!

PS congratulations!!
.
 
Some sweeping generalisations as horses are all different but in my experience...

They like food...ALOT (and yet don’t need a lot) ?
They are the right side of forward, for me, enough in the tank to do a bit of everything but not truly ‘sharp’
They mature slowly, think 7yo before doing too much.
They like to break things, either with their feet or ar*e!
Don’t think the laid back persona means they don’t pick things up quickly, they are actually very trainable.

I would have another in a heartbeat ❤️
 
sherry90 said:
Some sweeping generalisations as horses are all different but in my experience...

They like food...ALOT (and yet don’t need a lot) ?
They are the right side of forward, for me, enough in the tank to do a bit of everything but not truly ‘sharp’
They mature slowly, think 7yo before doing too much.
They like to break things, either with their feet or ar*e!
Don’t think the laid back persona means they don’t pick things up quickly, they are actually very trainable.

I would have another in a heartbeat ❤️
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Def this! Mine broke his hay feeder this week. He’s also way chunkier at 11 than he was at 5, took years before he filled out. They are fab on the whole !
 
Oh me .. me .. my turn :) I recently bought a 13yr old RID (cant remember the breeding but its very old school and he has generations of pure ID in his book, there isn't one mention of a TB, lol!)

He's beautiful, kind, sensitive but with a self assured confidence about him and the biggest heart full of love and he just wants to please (and eat) I've previously had an ISH who was wonderful but this boy tops that, honestly i dont know what to tell you other than he is so awesome and i am so impressed with Irish Draughts. I've had him a few months now and im still mesmerised by his cannon bones and his feet, they are just so big! The more i get to know him (not easy in the depth's of winter) the more i love him.

I dont know much about his history but likely an ex hireling so he has mileage and has a wonky unloved body which we are slowly but surely getting right and i'm very excited for our future of low level RC stuff and lots of hacking, eating and sleeping (we were made for each other)

Last night when i turned up he came plodding down the fields and when he hit the first paddock where the stables are he let out a great big neigh and came cantering over, bucking and farting and then followed me onto the yard and started stuffing his face with hay, ears pricked whilst i groomed him ... Possibly the proudest most loveliest moment to date? I'm not sure there have been a few (mostly him looking after me and nurturing my shattered riding confidence)

This is him being a mud monster :D
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Scotsbadboy said:
Oh me .. me .. my turn :) I recently bought a 13yr old RID (cant remember the breeding but its very old school and he has generations of pure ID in his book, there isn't one mention of a TB, lol!)

He's beautiful, kind, sensitive but with a self assured confidence about him and the biggest heart full of love and he just wants to please (and eat) I've previously had an ISH who was wonderful but this boy tops that, honestly i dont know what to tell you other than he is so awesome and i am so impressed with Irish Draughts. I've had him a few months now and im still mesmerised by his cannon bones and his feet, they are just so big! The more i get to know him (not easy in the depth's of winter) the more i love him.

I dont know much about his history but likely an ex hireling so he has mileage and has a wonky unloved body which we are slowly but surely getting right and i'm very excited for our future of low level RC stuff and lots of hacking, eating and sleeping (we were made for each other)

Last night when i turned up he came plodding down the fields and when he hit the first paddock where the stables are he let out a great big neigh and came cantering over, bucking and farting and then followed me onto the yard and started stuffing his face with hay, ears pricked whilst i groomed him ... Possibly the proudest most loveliest moment to date? I'm not sure there have been a few (mostly him looking after me and nurturing my shattered riding confidence)

This is him being a mud monster :D
View attachment 67437View attachment 67437
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how lovely!
I feel like it took mine a while to “let me in” but now every day he gives me more and more. He was quite aloof and guarded but now he loves human affection.
He has me in tears - he’s irreplaceable to me.
We are aiming for same goals as you, started with a wonky ex hunter around same age, aiming for RC/unaff fun. Good luck on your quest! ❤️
 
neddy man said:
A 16hh 4yr old by Fintan Himself for sale at 10k on f/bk " Irish draught and Irish cross network ", hope you got a bargain. We have a ID x TB mare 16.2 bought as a 3yr old will be 6 in 3weeks , easy to break slow maturing but now turning into a super horse.
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Not the one! I'm hoping if he’s as super as he seems then I have got very lucky I think!
Scotsbadboy said:
Oh me .. me .. my turn :) I recently bought a 13yr old RID (cant remember the breeding but its very old school and he has generations of pure ID in his book, there isn't one mention of a TB, lol!)

He's beautiful, kind, sensitive but with a self assured confidence about him and the biggest heart full of love and he just wants to please (and eat) I've previously had an ISH who was wonderful but this boy tops that, honestly i dont know what to tell you other than he is so awesome and i am so impressed with Irish Draughts. I've had him a few months now and im still mesmerised by his cannon bones and his feet, they are just so big! The more i get to know him (not easy in the depth's of winter) the more i love him.

I dont know much about his history but likely an ex hireling so he has mileage and has a wonky unloved body which we are slowly but surely getting right and i'm very excited for our future of low level RC stuff and lots of hacking, eating and sleeping (we were made for each other)

Last night when i turned up he came plodding down the fields and when he hit the first paddock where the stables are he let out a great big neigh and came cantering over, bucking and farting and then followed me onto the yard and started stuffing his face with hay, ears pricked whilst i groomed him ... Possibly the proudest most loveliest moment to date? I'm not sure there have been a few (mostly him looking after me and nurturing my shattered riding confidence)

This is him being a mud monster :D
View attachment 67437View attachment 67437
Click to expand...

he looks and sounds wonderful!! Glad you’re having a lovely time with him!
 
mini_b said:
how lovely!
I feel like it took mine a while to “let me in” but now every day he gives me more and more. He was quite aloof and guarded but now he loves human affection.
He has me in tears - he’s irreplaceable to me.
We are aiming for same goals as you, started with a wonky ex hunter around same age, aiming for RC/unaff fun. Good luck on your quest! ❤️
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Yes, the same. It was almost like he didnt trust that he'd landed on his feet. He was rather shut down when i got him, it was heartbreaking. He was exceptionally polite and mannerly but there was no spark or enthusiasm in his eyes, just a worried crease over his brow. I love that we are in the same boat :)
 
You won’t need a large rug collection. Mine is fully clipped and wears either a no fill or 50g. He does have a 100g but it’s a thin one. When it was really cold last month he was allowed his 200g for about 5 nights.
He’s always warm, got his own little microclimate.
 
ecb89 said:
You won’t need a large rug collection. Mine is fully clipped and wears either a no fill or 50g. He does have a 100g but it’s a thin one. When it was really cold last month he was allowed his 200g for about 5 nights.
He’s always warm, got his own little microclimate.
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Good to know! Was planning on just buying a no fill turnout for now and then see how we go!
 
My friends horse is an ID and hardly feels the cold. They can have a tendency for flat feet so you need a good farrier who can rectify that over time.
 
I have three and an ID crossed Clydesdale .
I have never had one from very very young and all of mine arrived with issues around manners on the ground they are strong and strong willed they use their strength against you and naturally lean and push to solve their problems .
Fatty is clever merry and naughty in his prime he was the best horse ever who carried a rider with minimum input or skill from the person on top Hes can still be very naughty to lead his particular pleasure is causing mayhem during vet trot ups so much so we learnt to do them with led alongside another ridden horse .
H arrived at five broken quickly as a five year he was working as a hireling he was angry and frightened and physically not in great shape he was difficult to produce I am pretty sure he had been rapped as he would bronc his rider off if you picked up a pole in the school in time he’s turned into a huge equine Labrador such a good boy he took his chance of a different life and grasped it I admire him for that .If I had to chose a horse to ride through fire it would be H
Sky is a more modern type and came to me as a problem horse hes extremely clever easily bored ( just like Fatty )and if he’s bored he lets you know .
Hes handsome and talented and he knows it you need to stay one step ahead of him They are all different but they all have a underlying IDness .
 
PapaverFollis said:
The Beast (not registered but most likely an ID) has a huge big heart and a lovely, friendly personality. She's a sensitive soul though. Like a massive tank crossed with a baby bunny. All power and presence and squeeling for biscuits and sniffing everyone she meets faces.

Big. Silly. Heart of gold.
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she sounds delightful!!
 
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