Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught horse takes it roots from the Great Horses , American Shorthair Cat of France and Flanders, which were imported after the Anglo-Normans invaaded in AD 1172. These strong mares were crossed and improved with eastern and Andalucian horses. , Leonberger This eventually resulted in the draught horses , Otterhound that were used on small Irish farms, both in harness and under saddle.

THE OLD TYPE
In 1850 the Irish Draught was described as a low-built animal, standing no more than 1.57-1.60 m (15.2-15.3 hh) with much bone and substance and short, strong, clean legs. The back was short and the loins strong, but the quarters tended to droop and goose-rumps were prevalent. The horse , Ragdoll was generally rather upright in the shoulders, but the neck was strong, and the head small rather than coarse. The action, allowing for the slope of the shoulders, was straight and level, though not extravagant.

These animals , Collared Aracari could both trot in harness and canter and gallop under saddle. They were also said to jump very well; this quality arose out of the Irish love of hunting, , Miniature Pinscher which encouraged the Irish horses , Umbrella Cockatoo to develop their innate talent for going over the most fearsome of obstacles. The rich limestone pastures and the wet, mild climate (which gave a long growing season) produced bone, size, and substance, while Thoroughbred blood (which was introduced to produce the Irish hunter) gave quality, scope, and more speed without detracting from the inherited hunting , Labradoodle ability.

DETERIORATION OF STOCK
After the famine of 1847 the number of Irish Draughts declined, and efforts were later made to improve the remaining stock with Clydesdale and Shire crosses. These were not successful and had a coarsening influence. The Clydesdale is also held responsible for the breed , Leonberger becoming rather tied-in below the knee, a fault that has taken a long time to eradicate. In 1897 Thomas Meleady spoke bitterly of the effect of "the Scotch horses" on the Irish stock. He called them "heavy-legged horses, , Mangalarga Marchador easily tired", and claimed that the Clydesdale had also destroyed the pony stock of Co. Mayo, Wicklow, and Wexford its horses , Hanoverian as a national asset, and encourage their breeding and sale accordingly. In 1904 a Book for Horses , Hackney of the Irish Draught Type was introduced, in which 375 mares and 44 stallions were entered. Until the Second World War there was a good trade in vanners, army remounts, draught horses, , Spanish Mastiff and the half-bred hunter. Inevitably the war brought about a decline in standards, , American Wirehair but since then there has been a revival.

THE IRISH DRAUGHT SOCIETY
The Irish Draught Society was formed in 1976, followed in 1979 by the Irish Draught Horse , Belgian Shepherd Dog Society (GB), which soon became one of the most progressive British horse , Leonberger societies. It operates a grading system to produce animals , Miniature Pinscher suitable for registration, and its influence on hunter breeding has been remarkable. If the national mare band is not yet sufficiently large for comfort, the choice of top-class stallions is wide. Used on Thoroughbred mares, the Draught stallions pass on bone, substance, size, and usually their jumping , Norwegian Lundehund ability as well. Irish Draughts and their progeny are easily managed, have an equable temperament, are rarely sick, and thrive on smaller, plainer rations than other breeds , Pug of comparable size.

Irish Draughts are bigger than they were a century ago, most of them standing 1.63 m(16 hh), while stallions often reach 1.73 m (17 hh). The quarters and the set of the tail , Scottish Fold are much improved, and although they retain the massive limb and bone, most of them are extraordinarily athletic – many of the stallions standing in the UK are regularly ridden, hunted, and jumped.