{"id":696,"date":"2010-08-09T04:56:12","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T04:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=696"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:51:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T13:51:50","slug":"irish-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/irish-draft","title":{"rendered":"Irish Draft Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Originally built for work in Ireland, the Irish Draft or Draught bloodline was almost lost, however a revival movement managed to keep the breed alive. These horses are built in large part by the difficult climate, making them big and hearty.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

Derived from the horses of France and Flanders imported after the Anglo-Norman invasion in AD 1172. The Irish Draft breed was then improved with eastern and Andalusian<\/a> blood. Later refined with Thoroughbred<\/a> blood which added spirit and stamina to the already hardy bloodlines.<\/p>\n

During the Irish famine of 1847, the bloodline was sorely depleted and later efforts to revive the breed introduced Clydesdale<\/a> and Shire<\/a> crosses. The introduction of draft blood had a dampening effect on the Irish Draft blood.<\/p>\n

By 1904 stallion subsidies had been dedicated to renewing the breed and in 1917 A Book for Horses of the Irish Draught Type<\/i> was introduced which plugged along during WWII just keeping the bloodlines alive. In 1976 the Irish Draught Society was created and shortly after in 1979 the Irish Draught Horse Society was formed, later becoming a progressive leader in the horse world.<\/p>\n

According to DAD-IS the Irish Draught is endangered and as of 2006 there were between 4000-5000 left. The Equus Survival Trust lists them as critical with an estimated global population of less than 2000 in 2007.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 16-17 hands
\nStrong jumper
\nAgreeable temperament
\nThrive on smaller rations
\nHealthy, robust animals<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Straight face
\nLong, arched neck
\nDeep chest, long back
\nLarge legs with minimal feather
\nBig, round feet
\nStrong bones
\nPowerful hind legs muscled thighs and solid hock joints<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors:<\/h3>\n

black<\/a> | grey<\/a> | chestnut<\/a> | bay<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Intelligent
\nObedient
\nEven-tempered
\nSpirited<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Riding horses
\nShow horses
\nCompetition horses<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nIrish Draught Horse Breeders Association (IE)<\/a>
\nIrish Draught Horse Society (GB)<\/a>
\nIrish Draught Horse Society of North America<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Irish\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Irish\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Irish\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Irish\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n