Page 33 - IDHSNA 2016 Annual Blarney

one of the strengths of the Irish Draught breed is the contribu- most important ones. linear profiling gives us a useful source of
tion which it makes as a foundation breed in the pedigree of many independent information which we can utilise to assist our breed-
Irish bred event horses. I believe that this is as a result of the ing decisions. We should also take every opportunity available to
inherent soundness of the breed, the depth of body providing further our own education through assessing the animals which
good heart and lung capacity, good temperament and having three have been bred and produced by others.
good paces. movement does not need to be extravagant but it is hopefully you have some nice mares which you plan to breed and
important that the paces have good regular rhythm and impulsion. can find stallions which will compliment your mares and display the
these characteristics are also important in the pure bred animals characteristics which you would like to see in your foals. after that
which are such great mounts for amateur riders. a little bit of luck is always invaluable.
the olD aDage of ‘BreeD lIKe to lIKe’ Is stIll souND.
of course horse breeding does not always go to plan.
We can never select for all of the characteristics which
we might like at one time so we need to prioritise the

IrIsh Draught horse socIety of North amerIca | 2016 aNNual BlarNey eDItIoN 31