- Irish Hunter - |
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 The Irish Hunter, or Irish Horse, originated in Ireland, and is the result of a cross between the English thoroughbred and Irish Draft horses. Technically, the Irish Hunger is not really a breed, but a half-bred, being half Thoroughbred and half-Irish Draft. However, Irish Horses do all have very definite characteristics, and so can be classed as a breed, and their universal importance and appeal deserves a mention. The Irish Horse combines the best elements of both the Irish Draft, having their sense, honesty, and charisma, and the Thoroughbred, from whom they inherit their athletic ability, speed, and endurance. The Irish Draft had traditionally breed used in Ireland for all purposes, serving as a means of transportation, working the land, and for riding, but with the mechanization, the Draft horse began to decline in numbers as there was a move towards a popularity as a riding horse. The development of the Irish Hunter has filled the need for a first-class riding horse of considerable talent, and recently, the numbers of the Irish Draft have increased. For a country of their size, Ireland produces a staggering number of top-quality horses every year, many of which sell for vast amounts of money through Europe and America. Typically, the Irish Horse has a wonderful temperament, perhaps one of the very best among all the breeds of horse, being innately calm, sensible, honest, and yet energetic and lively when required. They are also very tough and have good stamina. They are naturally talented jumpers as well. The Irish horse combines quality, ability and bravery, making them one of the most versatile and popular horses of our time. Irish Horses make first-class eventers and showjumpers, while also having the manners and sense to hunt all day long. In appearance, they tend to fall into 3 categories: light, middle, and heavyweight, based on their weight-carrying ability. They have attractive heads that sometimes have a convex profile, a well-defined and muscular neck that should be slightly arched, good strong sloping shoulders, and a short, compact back with a broad and muscular croup. Their legs should be clean and well-muscled, with good feet. They can be bay, gray, brown, chestnut, or black, and stand between 15.3 and 17 hh.
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