Ballyfox Irish Draughts

Irish Draught are their own breed, unrelated to the heavy drafts such as Clydesdales, Percherons, and Shires.  They have been developed in Ireland for generations as an all around family horse, capable of working on the farm, riding to hounds, and driving the family to church on Sundays.  They are talented jumpers, and are often crossed with Thoroughbred and other light breeds to produce sound, sane, equine athletes.

Irish Draught Sport Horses (IDSH) must have at least 1/8 Irish Draught in their pedigree and are bred outside Ireland.  

Irish Sport Horse (ISH) refers to a horse bred in Ireland, registered with Horse Sport Ireland, who may or may not have any actual Irish Draught ancestors.  Nowadays ISH are primarily warmblood breeding, some with little or no Irish Draught blood.  An American bred horse cannot be an ISH, as only horses born in Ireland are registered with Horse Sport Ireland.

There is a reliable method to determining the adult height of any foal over the age of 3 months.  The length of the lower leg, measured from mid-carpus (knee) to coronet band, is 98% of its adult length by 3 months of age (one of the reasons foal's legs look so long - they are!)  A measurement of this distance in inches correlates to the height in hands of the horse when it's grown.  If you don't believe this, go measure every adult horse you can.  You'll find the 16 hand horses measure 16", 16.2 hand horses measure 16 1/2" and 15.1 horses measure 15 1/4".  It's not as accurate for ponies and heavy draft breeds but for the average size horse breed it is very useful!  Other "string" test methods aren't as accurate.  See photo below.