Why do people source Irish horses?

[Tihamandturkey]

I've ridden and owned a couple of Irish bred horses - there are many admirable things about them and they do have a hugely popular appeal as all rounders. Ireland is blessed in terms of it's ground in places which provides a brilliant mineral rich start for some lucky horses. BUT I have also known some fairly grim examples of Irish bred/imported to the UK and in some ways Irish horses can be a bit 'bland' in terms of the riding experience I have found. My experience is that they are not as sharp or clever as Arabs, Spanish types, TBs (obviously there are variations in every breed) or some of the natives (connemaras included here!). Those breeds tend to get a harsher press and the ID/ISH benefits from being seen as more easily trained, handled and competed I think.

Mmmm - tell that to my ISH (Connie x TB/ID) - so far from being "bland" she's sharp talented & too clever by half - unfortunately she is ultra spooky & reactive therefore totally unsuitable for parties at present ?

 

[palo1]

Mmmm - tell that to my ISH (Connie x TB/ID) - so far from being "bland" she's sharp talented & too clever by half - unfortunately she is ultra spooky & reactive therefore totally unsuitable for parties at present ?

I think bland is a bit unfair of me actually - I think what I was trying to get across was the sort of common-sense, workmanlike attitude many Irish horses seem to be able to adopt. I had one that was completely the opposite - probably due to early breaking experiences but a lot I have met are just incredibly sensible and willing. Sadly they are not my cup of tea at all but I can entirely see their good points!!

 

[Kaylum]

And from York, most of them will have been "7/8 IDx's" straight from the race track via Doncaster Bloodstock Auctions ?
.

No usually travellers ponies unfortunately. As the guy has his field right next to the auction site. He just leads them round. York use to be ok many many years ago.
It turned very bin end before it shut down.

 

[sport horse]

I love my ISH. She is mannerly and very well put together.
The good ones make excellent general riding horses that put their hooves to most jobs.
As someone above mentioned though, fashion and sport are changing and they aren’t ‘flashy’ enough for some people/disciplines so the breeding is changing and in some cases I don’t think for the better.
I’m seriously considering putting my mare in foal next year but I wouldn’t want to put anything too ‘hot’ into the mix.

Yes but not all of them have gone to the Olympics, generally speaking only the pros can ride them, there was/is a lot of wastage, and some of the great ID lines have been irrevocably damaged in the process.

It is not a question of they are not flashy enough for some people - they do not have the length of stride or athleticism for modern show jumping and to a lesser degree for modern short format eventing. I do not think the Irish bred horses actually compete in higher level dressage?
Of course not all horses bred as sport horses go to the Olympics - frankly nor do all ID x make good riding horses - many of them are very reluctant to go forward! I have met plenty of warmbloods that are very pleasant and easy rides. I have also met some that are not but luckily those have been superstars so that was alright. Fatal problem is the tricky horse with no talent which frankly has no job.

 

[Circe2]

My boy is a registered ISH after a KWPN (“dumb blood” ?) sire and ISH mare. Not only is he a really decent and safe jumper (up to 1.40 - but not with me, as I’m far too cowardly!), he’s also safe and sensible, clever (and a bit eccentric), hell of a looker, hardy and a good doer, hacks, hunts, and just happy wherever you plonk him. He can also do a good dressage test at a decent level, as good as any continental warmblood (and having had plenty of experience of those, they come at all levels and temperaments too). Personally, my own experience of the ISH x continental WB mix is a really successful riding horse for what I would call the ambitious amateur / allrounder market. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[oldie48]

TBH I think there's too much stereotyping going on here, ISH come in all sorts of sizes, temperaments and mixes. We had a Ricardo Z gelding, one of those seemingly despised WBx that get registered as ISH and he was a super horse, great paces, good jump and a level head. His mare had a dash of ID so he was more a working hunter stamp than your classic eventer, not top class but a very smart all rounder. A friend qualified his Ricardo Z ISH for HOYs. FWIW all our Irish bred horses came with impeccable manners and had been started well but equally I know of lots that wouldn't be described as such.

 

[paddi22]

Yeah I've a Ricardo z warmblood ISH. conformation wise he looks like two different horses glued together but he is a super amateur horse. will happily pop a 1 20, super at 1 10 eventing and does a decent dressage. wouldn't be a world beater or lead the scoreboard at any discipline but perfect amateur horse with good manners and lots of brains.

 

[Rowreach]

Bear in mind we are all speaking from personal experience (nearly 40 years working with and producing "Irish" horses in my case ) and while I would never claim that all IDs are wonderful (because they aren't) I am quite sure that not all the experimental breeding over the past 25 years has been successful or beneficial.

Peace and goodwill.

 

[Sail_away]

Aren’t they supposed to be more hardy than warmbloods? Note ‘supposed’ - my 11 yr old ISH likely-retiree would beg to differ. In recent horse viewing experiences I’ve seen 3 ISH and 3 continental warmbloods - the Irish bred were quieter, sweet but less sensitive and more pony like than the warmbloods. So I guess they appeal to a wider market as they’re very amateur friendly?

 

[Mule]

I think the ID in the traditional ISH leads to toughness/ health and good temperaments

 

[oldie48]

Aren’t they supposed to be more hardy than warmbloods? Note ‘supposed’ - my 11 yr old ISH likely-retiree would beg to differ. In recent horse viewing experiences I’ve seen 3 ISH and 3 continental warmbloods - the Irish bred were quieter, sweet but less sensitive and more pony like than the warmbloods. So I guess they appeal to a wider market as they’re very amateur friendly?

I just think it's wise to judge the horse in front of you rather than generalise and if you are breeding, consider your market carefully and choose a stallion accordingly. I have never ever bought a horse because it's a particular breed or been bred in a particular country, I've always tried to think first if it was suitable for the job, had a good temperament and decent conformation and could I afford it!

 

[Sail_away]

I just think it's wise to judge the horse in front of you rather than generalise and if you are breeding, consider your market carefully and choose a stallion accordingly. I have never ever bought a horse because it's a particular breed or been bred in a particular country, I've always tried to think first if it was suitable for the job, had a good temperament and decent conformation and could I afford it!

Refining what you’re looking for is useful though. There’s quite a few ‘possibles’ we could go and see - all of which I’m happy tick the boxes their ads need to in order for me to see. So far the warmbloods have suited me in terms of temperament and sensitivity so it’s not unreasonable to want to see, all else equal, the warmbloods first.
ETA - besides, so far I’ve been completely fair and seen three of each!

 

[oldie48]

Refining what you’re looking for is useful though. There’s quite a few ‘possibles’ we could go and see - all of which I’m happy tick the boxes their ads need to in order for me to see. So far the warmbloods have suited me in terms of temperament and sensitivity so it’s not unreasonable to want to see, all else equal, the warmbloods first.
ETA - besides, so far I’ve been completely fair and seen three of each!

Sorry I had misread your post, I hadn't realised that you were looking to buy. Having said that I've still always disregarded the breeding initially and just looked for something that would do the job but I think I've been lucky in that I've never viewed more than 2 horses before buying as I like to have a good chat with the owner first and end up not viewing. Good luck in finding "the one".

 

[palo1]

I think the ISH can be a bit of a mythical beast really - similar to the 'Spanish' types where all sorts of stereotypes are applied but they are generally of a type but still individuals. There is still a really romanticised idea of the Irish horse which isn't necessarily accurate - Irish breeders are canny enough to breed what the market wants but that goes from the top end to the bottom of course.

 

[SOS]

I love a good Irish horse that’s seen a bit of life, bred well and been started well. From my experiences the young horses that come over often have very simple basics applied to them and aren’t the most flexible creatures. But have confidence and don’t have bad habits. I think it’s more normal for the young horses to get out and see the world there rather than spend months in a school. Obviously on the flip side they can sometimes do too much... hunting at 3 or jumping a lot.

I do feel the Irish amateur riders, on a whole, are much better (and braver) riders than us brits. An Irish man once told me ‘Quiet’ in Ireland is different to ‘quiet’ over here.

 

[Skib]

Do we become prejudiced? I started riding as an adult and my three regular rides have all been Irish. Though the Connie was smarter and quicker than the two ISH. The exception is a couple of TBs and the Quarter horses I have ridden in the USA.
So if offered one of those I accept like a shot. And if I ever buy a horse will go for Irish, as OP said.

 

[nutrock]

So I’ve been hearing a lot lately about people purposely sourcing Irish horses. I get the impression they are considered well bred and well produced??? But I just wondered if people could clarify what is it people are seeking when purposely sourcing an Irish horse? I’m mainly interested because I’ve just brought one and on my horse hunt and during my new horse’s vetting, I kept getting positive vibes about the Irish born horses off professionals (of any breed).

 

[nutrock]

My mare is Irish and she was quite traumatised when I got her. She is very talented (more so than me) but it has taken several years to win her trust and help her to be less anxious. Most of her worries seem to have stemmed from the way she was broken.

I have ridden lots of Irish horses over the years and they have been some of my favourites.