[QUOTE=yellowbritches;3126292]
Please note, an Irish Draught is NOT the same type of horse as a Shire, Clyde, Belgian or Perch. They are RIDING horses, not plow/cart horses. They have always been bred to be big and strong enough to work and plow, but also athletic enough to hunt and jump. Drafts, in the traditional sense, were only ever supposed to be work horses, and have been bred for their pulling power, not their pushing power (the key ingredient for a jumping horse or a dressage horse). Irish Draughts are a totally different animal from a draft horse breed. Irish Sport Horses (IDSH is a totally American thing…I’ve never known an Irishman that refers to their ISH as IDSH) are not the same thing as a draft cross. Irish Draughts and ISH are extremely athletic, often incredibly good movers, and are bred for sport. Draft horses and draft crosses, while often safe, lower level amateur mounts, are not nearly as athletic. There ARE exceptions, but unlike the Irish horses, a draft or draft cross that is successful in the higher levels of any sport is the exception. Irish horses competing at the higher levels are usually the rule.
Sorry…this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I’ve been extremely lucky enough to have spent a great deal of time with well bred, very athletic and talented Irish horses imported from Ireland. I’ve also had my fair share of experience with draft crosses (belgian, clyde, perch, etc). While I love every horse for who they are, there is nothing as athletic and gifted as a good Irish horse (except for maybe a good TB!). A draft cross can’t even touch them. They are good honest workers, usually, and like I said, there are exceptional ones, but most I’ve known are average to clunky movers, struggle to truly collect and carry themselves, and are often lacking in any real power (be it scope for jumping, or power to truly push from behind).[/QUOTE]
It’s funny when I see comments from people who have obviously never been to a draft show. I love seeing the comments on how quiet, slow, and clunky drafts are. It’s hilarious how FAR from the truth this is. The preferred “type” being bred and SHOWN are actually hitch horses. LIGHT drafts with less bone and tons of knee/hock engagement. These horses can be HOT, HOT, HOT. The short, chubby, clunky drafts are commonly used as plow horses and are not the type generally suited for riding in a demanding show environment.
