One of the Irish Draught's great contributions to the horse world is his role in the production of the world famous Irish Sport Horse. However, it would be wrong to assume that the pure-bred Irish Draught does not have his own role to play. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Increasingly, people who are looking for trainability, soundness, power and a close relationship with their horse are turning to the Irish Draught. Often it is the all around versatility that brings folk to the breed but it is the delightful temperament that makes it impossible to live without one thereafter!

Whether you are looking for a jumper, eventer, dressage horse, driving horse, show horse or a "best friend" for the trail, you will find what you are looking for from within the breed.

Look carefully at this mare...her rider is hunting her off the noseband - no bit, no Hackamore. What a testament to the temperament and ridability of the breed (and the skill of her rider, Susan Lanigan O'Keeffe of Suma Stud in Ireland!)

Mom to the dressage arena.....

photo courtesy Robert Hughes

.....the kids eventing

.....and everyone out for a sane and sensible hack or drive....you have but to ask! The Irish Draught was, for so many generations, handled largely by the wife and children of the Irish farmer. This background has given the breed a fabulously generous temperament, one of willingness and intelligence...a pure delight to live with.

Each of the horses pictured here is a pure-bred Irish Draught....This evident ability, added to the Irish Draught's soundness, bone and substance and coupled to a delightfully sensible and intelligent temperament explains why the pure-bred Irish Draught is such a popular breed in its own right.