Horses

The Irish Horse or Irish Hunter is technically not yet a breed, it is created from crossing the Irish Draught horse with a thoroughbred and they do breed to a distinctive type.? They are a utility horse, used under harness, under saddle and as farm work horses. Currently, they are bred less as a work horse, and more as a sport horse.? They are naturally athletic and fantastic, courageous jumpers making them a versatile and desired sport horse.

Their natural jumping ability has been brought across to the show jumping arena and they compete also at the highest levels of eventing and fox hunting. ?Ireland produces a large number of Irish Horses each year with many exported at high prices to buyers in the United States and Europe.

Breed Characteristics
The Irish Horse has retained the equable temperament, strength and courageous jumping ability and combined it with the athleticism, speed, and endurance from the Thoroughbred.
They are calm yet lively when it asked to be and they are very tough. The Irish Horse tends to fall into three types:

• light-weight,
• middle-weight,
• heavy-weight.

The horses have attractive proportional heads occasionally exhibiting a convex profile. They have a muscular croup with powerful hindquarters. Neck is muscular and slightly-arched, back is short and compact, with long, sloping shoulders. The Irish Horse can be any color except piebald or skewbald and stand 1.56 to 1.74m(15.3-17h) high.