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The Irish Draught Horse was developed in Ireland from the Irish "hobby" which was an energetic, small riding horse used for tending the flocks and as a warhorse. Later, the blood of the heavier Norman horses, used by the knights and Spanish Andalucian was added giving the hobby more bone and size. With the arrival of the Thoroughbred, the Irish horse was further refined.
The Irish horse's main use in the early years was as a military horse. In modern times the Irish Draught has been used for light farm work, pulling the cart to market, fox hunting. The Irish Draught is a versatile animal with a quiet disposition and enough stamina and athletic ability to excel in fox hunting.
The Irish studbook was started in the early 1900's for horses of the Irish Draught type and pedigree. The first inspectors were very careful to exclude horses with heavy draft blood, like the Clydesdale and Percheron, but Thoroughbred blood was allowed. The studbook started with 44 stallions and 375 mares. The numbers rose steadily and peaked in 1943, but with the mechanization of farming the numbers started to decline. Many of the mares were being bred for performance to Thoroughbred stallions and the number of purebreds fell to a dangerously low level. They are still considered an endangered breed.
In 1976 the Irish Draught Horse Society, Ireland was formed to preserve and protect the breed. Today it has 19 branches in Ireland and four international branches in Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and North America. The North American branch was founded in 1993 starting with three members. The number of horses on the North American registry is rapidly growing with the popularity of the breed.
The Irish Draught stands from 15.2H to 17H. He is a short shinned, powerful horse with substance and quality. He has a deep girth, strong back, loins, and quarters and has a strong, sound constitution. He is exceptionally intelligent and gentle. His action is smooth and free without exaggeration and is not heavy or ponderous. The predominant colors are grey and chestnut.
