Irish Draught Horse

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: January 4th, 2018

About Irish Draught Horse

Height

Weight

1,300 lb

Physique

Strong, solid, muscular

Lifespan

30 years

Best Suited For

Horse owners and riders with some experience

Temperament

Docile, willing, easygoing, intelligent

Comparable Breeds

Clydesdale Horse, Connemara Pony

Irish Draught Horse Breed History

As its name implies, the Irish Draught Horse comes from Ireland, and the first mentions of this breed date back to the 18th century. Experts believe that this breed was created when the Irish Hobby Horse was bred with the Anglo-Norman Horse. Other breeds that helped develop the Irish Draught Horse over time included Iberian breeds from Spanish Armada shipwrecks, Thoroughbreds and Clydesdales, and the Connemara Pony.

Irish farmers are to thank for the development of this breed, as they were the ones who required a horse that would match the farming conditions of their country. Basically, they sought to develop a horse that would be lighter and adaptable, so they bred horses in order to create one that would be able to go hunting, work on the farm, and also be easy to ride. The goal was to create a breed that would be strong, have stamina, and also have a great personality. And they succeeded when the Irish Draught Horse was born.

The Irish Draught Horse is an endangered breed.

In 1917, the Irish Draught Horse breed was established, but instability during the early part of the 20th century, in addition to the use of new machinery on farms, caused the number of Irish Draught Horses to decline. So, in 1976, the Irish Draught Horse Society was created to help preserve the breed.

Although this breed is still considered endangered today, it is growing in popularity around the world, and it has also played a role in the development of the Irish Sport Horse. Plus, it has even been named the national horse breed of Ireland.

Breed Traits

In addition to being a strong, versatile, and attractive breed, the Irish Draught Horse is also known for its endearing personality. Overall, it has a willing, easygoing, and docile nature, so these horses are easy to work with. Plus, these horses are able to learn new things quickly, thanks to their intelligence. With a talented and experienced rider, this horse will respond extremely well and perform at its best.

The Irish Draught Horse played a role in the development of the Irish Sport Horse.

Overall Description

When looking at an Irish Draught Horse, you will notice that this breed is distinct and bold, as well as powerful. This is an attractive equine breed that is known for its strength and stamina, and it has been bred to have a body that will allow it to ride over varied terrain with ease and with agility and speed.

The head of an Irish Draught Horse is well proportioned and wide at the forehead, and there is also a good amount of width in between the jawbones. The eyes are described as kind, bold, and large, and they are set wide apart. The ears are long and well set. And the neck, which is carried proudly and set high, is also well conformed and of a good length.

Other physical characteristics for this breed include hooves that are sound and hard rather than boxy or flat, as well as withers that are well defined. The girth is deep, and the back is strong, while the hindquarters should be gently sloping and long. Also, the movement should be strong, free, straight, and active with plenty of flexion within the shoulders, which are described as clean-cut. The pasterns should be in proportion and strong as well, and these horses are known for their strength, so they are solid-bodied, with clean, strong legs featuring dense bone.

The Irish Draught Horse has a willing, easygoing, and docile nature.

Colors

Most of the solid equine colors are accepted when it comes to the Irish Draught Horse, so you will see these animals sporting coats that could be dun, black, chestnut, gray, brown, or bay. However, excessive white markings aren’t a desirable feature in terms of color for these horses. Overall, gray appears to be the most commonly seen color, with chestnut also being quite common.

Grooming Requirements

To help keep your Irish Draught Horse clean and healthy, regular grooming sessions will be necessary. You could bathe your horse with a gentle equine shampoo whenever he gets too dirty, but brushing your horse in between bathing sessions will help remove debris and keep the coat looking smooth and shiny. A basic equine grooming kit will allow you to get the job done right, and you could use every grooming session as an opportunity to check your horse for signs of infection or injury. Plus, your horse will enjoy being groomed, so it is a good chance to bond with your animal as well.

Using a hoof pick, you can clean out your horse’s hooves completely while checking to ensure that they are healthy. And using a combination of a curry comb, body finishing brush, mane comb, tail comb, shedding blade, and dandy brush, you could remove debris and dirt, as well as loose, excess hair from all over the coat. Be careful around sensitive areas, and consider using a soft damp cloth to wipe around the eyes and ears to keep those areas clean as well.

Photo credit: Martina I. Meyer/Shutterstock; Bartkowski/Shutterstock

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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A Pennsylvania Dog Shocked Its Owners After Eating $4000 in Cash

A Pittsburg couple was shocked to discover that their dog Cecil decided to have the most expensive snack of his life, after wolfing down $4,000 in cash. According to Cecil’s owners, Clayton and Carrie Law, the seven-year-old goldendoodle is a well-behaved boy who has never really done anything bad before. The couple had withdrawn cash to do a home improvement project, but Cecil had other plans for the envelope full of money. Less than 30 minutes later, Cecil was caught devouring thousands of dollars. “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie ‘He ate the money, he ate the $4,000,’” said Clayton Law to CBS News. After the initial shock, the couple discovered that Cecil ate a lot of the bills, but that some were still on the floor, albeit torn up and chewed into pieces. Carrie and Clayton describe their pooch as laid back, weird, funny, and almost human-like, and say that he is typically more of a snuggly couch potato. “He doesn’t do many dog things, he doesn’t chew furniture or clothing, that’s why we were extra shocked when he decided to do this,” said Clayton Law. “He has never in his life tried to get anything from the counter, even coffee table. We could leave dinner and go to the kitchen and grab wine, and he would not touch the food, and he just doesn’t care. He just took this opportunity and ran with it,” said Carrie Law. Once the initial shock passed, the couple contacted their vet to see if the dog needed any treatment. Given the goldendoodle’s size, there was no risk of bowel obstruction and he only needed to be monitored at home. At first, Cecil seemed fine, but in the middle of the night, the Laws were awoken by the sound every dog owner knows - the retching of their dog about to vomit. “When you hear that, you immediately just react, so I jumped out of bed and just made sure that he didn’t throw up anywhere,” said Clayton. “And then I went to pick it up… and I realized there’s a lot of like half eaten and $100 bills and $50 bills here.”That night marked the start of the Law’s unfortunate mission of sifting through their dog’s vomit and poop in an attempt to recover some of their money. Luckily, the couple was able to piece together most of the bills after carefully washing and sorting all the pieces back together. “There we are at the utility sink washing this shitty money, yelling ‘Yay! Yes! We got one!’ It smelled so bad,” Carries confessed. After piecing together as many bills as they could salvage, the couple managed to recoup $3,550. According to Carrie, the bank was really nice about it and told them that these things happen all the time. “They said it actually happens quite a bit because money just picks up so many scents, especially if it’s used in the food industry. I guess dogs pick up on that - they have such a good sense of smell - and something about it just drove him crazy.”Almost a month after the incident, Cecil is doing fine and is still a good boy. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Are Collagen Chews Good for Dogs?

Are you searching for a tasty treat to keep your pup occupied? Have you heard the warnings made by experts about the potential dangers of rawhide chews and are struggling to find a healthy alternative for your dog? A newer type of dog chew is gaining popularity in the pet world, beloved both by pets and their parents alike. Let’s discuss the benefits of collagen chews and why this would be a great option for your dog. What Are Collagen Chews? Before we get into the benefits, we’ll start with the basics. What exactly is a collagen chew? Like rawhide, a collagen chew is a dried animal product. However, it is made from the inner layer of a cow's skin instead of the hide. This may seem like a minor difference, but it makes the product much easier to digest, making it safer for pet parents concerned about the risk of obstructions associated with rawhide. Collagen chew products are available in various forms, including flat chews, sticks, traditional bone shapes, and rings. Each variation of the chew ranges in size, thickness, and, therefore, chew difficulty level. Do Vets Recommend Collagen Sticks? Yes! Many veterinarians recommend collagen chews as a healthy alternative to rawhide. This healthy and natural chew option offers many health benefits, including joint issues and dry skin. Most collagen chews are made from all-natural ingredients and are free from fillers, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, making them a healthy replacement for your dog’s favorite rawhide bones.Is Collagen Better Than Rawhide? While both collagen chews and rawhides are long-lasting chew options, collagen chews address many of the health concerns related to rawhide. If your dog loves rawhide chews, this is a great alternative. Like rawhides, collagen chews are long-lasting. However, if your dog swallows a portion of the chew, its digestibility makes it less likely that you will find yourself at an emergency vet paying for surgery to remove an obstruction.

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