Irish horses

[Mungo Madness]

the next horse I'm off to see is a 17.3hh irish mare. Due to her height I'm a bit worried about being over horsed as although I'm 5ft8, I'm lightweight and there's not much of me :lol:

So what are they generally built like? And their temprements in general, obviously they change so much horse to horse but just generally?

[Lobelia Overhill]

it depends on the horse, my lad is an ISH and can be bolshy, but that may just be because we're still getting used to each other!

[casper_cb]

My John's ISH and stands at 17.2hh, I'm 5'7", the girl who rode and competed him before me with much sucess was only 5'5" and can't have been much over 9 stone. He's a lovely sweet natured gentle giant, thankfully, he's been on box rest more or less since July.

[Susan]

Well Mags is ISH and he is an angel to handle, never uses his strength against me, so there's no problem there. Riding wise, he can take a lot of holding together, he's a big horse and he needs to be ridden quite strongly and positively.

[Mobell]

I have a Irish Sports Pony mare she is bossy but not sure whether thats breed or being a mare.

I had the Kyles looking for a horse for me and they import them from Ireland mainly to bring on but I did ride a lovely gelding called Boris who I would have bought had someone not had first offer. My friend who is only 5'1 like me had a 17hh four year old gelding King of Diamonds line he was a sweety and easy to back. In the end like most breeds its down to the individual horse.

Susan - Is Mags in your signature he has the look of my little mare who is Irish.

[Susan]

Hi Mo, yes that is him!
I definitely see it, he is like the hefty version and your girl is the delicate version! He is 15 now, he came over from Ireland as a 4 year old I think.

[Welly]

Mr & Mrs F's friends Kevin is a 17.2 ID and is just a saint! I have a real obsessions with him, angel to handle and ride - gotta love that horse!! I'd snap him up like a shot if ever he was being sold but sadly (for me, not him lol) he's in his home for life me thinks! xx

[vels mum]

I own a Irish draught X, does that count? He has really good manners, but can spook at silly things ive heard this is quite typical of the breed.
In his day he was a fantastic showjumper and very obedient
The mare sounds nive but very big!!! Good luck

[eeek]

Why are there such HUGE horses in your part of the world?? Half of the ones you've enquired about seem to be bigger than ANYTHING I've seen near me.. Think the biggest horse in my area is about 16.2!

To answer your question, I have very fond memories of every Irish hunter I have ridden. They all seem pretty sensible types :)

[claire777]

Love my ID x TB - Finn

Don't get me wrong he has his moments and can sometimes be a handful but he suits me perfectly.

I'd always look for some sort of Irish breeding in a horse as I think they are a fantastic breed. Honest, Intelligant and Willing. There's loads of info on the Irish Draught society web site x

[bimba]

I used to ride a 17.2hh and a 17hh ID and i'm only 5'2! Apart from me looking like a pea on a drum on both they were fantastic horses with lovely natures and never took advantage of my size. It is a ****** long way down if you come off though ...............

[CityLights]

irsih horses tend to be a bit bigger and bulkier but are renowned for having really cool temprements,

[Mungo Madness]

Why are there such HUGE horses in your part of the world?? Half of the ones you've enquired about seem to be bigger than ANYTHING I've seen near me.. Think the biggest horse in my area is about 16.2!

To answer your question, I have very fond memories of every Irish hunter I have ridden. They all seem pretty sensible types :)

:pmsl::lol:

Honestly I've no idea! The ones I've seen have been 17.3hh/16hh/16.3hh/16.2hh. Although there's now a wb x tb 5 year old I may be going to see, and she is 15.2hh.

And after today I'm convinced Bug, the horse I tried last week, was waay bigger then 16.3hh :lol:

Thanks for the replies guys :D

[Tae]

I have just got Jinksy and he's ISH 6yrs 6 months. The owners said he is 15.3hh but i think he looks bigger (i must remember to take the tape measure up with me later)
But anyways, i've had him for 4 days and he's the most docile laid back horse i have ever met. He's settled in like he's lived there all his life and isn't fazed by me throwing his new rugs on and off him.
I have found he is a little timid and slightly head shy, i heard that when they are over in ireland the get treated quite roughly. He also doesn't like polos, what an odd horse.

He hasn't been spoiled with treats and doesn't really feel like he's ever been loved, bless him