The Irish Draught has benefited from this environment for longer than any other type of horse and over the centuries has evolved into Ireland's unique contribution to the equine world.

Tracing its roots back to Celtic times when the first imported horses raced at our ancient festivals or pulled chariots in epic battles, it has gradually evolved into an animal with versatility far beyond what its name implies.

The breed went on to be recognized by The National Stallion Enrollment Board in 1950. This was a very bad time for a draft breed to be getting its start. With the advent of the tractor in the 40's there was the largest decline of heavy horses in the history of our country. The US census in 1925 showed more than 98,000 registered draft horses, but by 1955 there were less than 2,000 on the roles. Many good farm horses were hauled to auction for dog food. It was a very sad time for our farming heritage.


At the Battle of Waterloo the victorious Duke of Wellington was mounted on an Irish black called Copenhagen. Copenhagen was bought at the fair of Cahirmee in County Cork, while Napoleons's horse Marengo was bred in Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford. Over the centuries international writers on equine matters have had words of praise for the horse of the Irish countryside. In 1850 Thomas Blundeville wrote in his book Riding and Breeding of Great Horses - " They be tender mouthed, nimble,light pleasant and apt to be taught." In Wares Antiquities of the 16th Century the Italian Raphael Coalaternus is quoted as declaring that Ireland possessed "worthy corn and excellent horses". In 1520 John Mayor said Ireland at the time, produced horses "whose pace was of the gentlest". In one of Ireland's ancient legends "The wooing of Emer" the two steeds drawing warrior Cuchulainn's chariot were described as "alike in size, beauty and speed"

Breed Description:

Under Irish Brehon Law, said to date from the early centuries A.D., the criteria for equine quality in Celtic times was thus enumerated - " A big horse, sound, young, noble, high headed, load carrying, lively hearted broad breasted, haughty, easy bearing, slender legged, well descended."

Versatility:

While having the strength and placid temperament of the working horse, the Irish Draught is not simply a draught in the usual application of that word to the equine. Rather as it evolved on both the small and large farms of the Irish countryside it has been imbued with the qualities of a riding and sporting horse as well.

Greater size of horse was imported into Ireland by the Normans. There was a further upgrading through an infusion of Spanish Andalusian blood. In more recent centuries when crossed with the thoroughbred the Irish Draught has been the basic ingredient of the famous Irish Charger of warfare, of the hunter and eventually of the ideal show jumping and competition Irish Sport Horse.

Ever since show jumping had its birth here in Ireland and went on to become an international sport at the end of the 19th Century, the Irish Draught Horse has played a major role. The even temperament, durability and athleticism of the Irish Draught, upgraded in crosses with the thoroughbred, has created a potent mix which is well up to the demands of modern day show jumping.

Some recent examples of Irish Sport Horses sired by Registered Irish Draught Stallions include: Mill Pearl (ISH) for the United States Equestrian team, Special Envoy (ISH) for Brazil, the stallion Cruising (ISH) on Irelands resurgent side that recently won three major Nations Cup events in 1995 - Aachen, Kerrygold Dublin and Calgary. Cruising was also in the team that won the Nations Cup in Dublin in 1997. Also in 1995 there was the unique double at the Royal International at Hickstead when Marion Hughes won the Queens Cup on Flo Jo (ISH) by Clover Hill (RID) and Robert Splaine took the Kings Cup on Heather Blaze (ISH) by Diamond Lad (RID).

The studbook is maintained on behalf of the society by the Irish Horse Board and the Northern Ireland Horse Board. All animals are inspected for entry into the studbook, mares at two years of age and stallions at a minimum of three years. A performance testing programme for stallions as part of the approval procedure is in place.

In 1917 the then Department of Agriculture decided to establish a book for horses of the Irish Draught type. A total of 1450 animals were presented for inspection- 375 mares and 44 stallions were selected. The studbook was maintained by the Department of Agriculture

In order to halt the decline in numbers that had set in during the post-war years, the Irish Draught Horse Society was formed by a group of far sighted enthusiasts in 1975. Its basic purpose - "to preserve and promote the Irish Draught Horse"