Which do you think is quieter in general..

[DLee]

A WB or an Irish Draught Sport Horse? I know it is REALLY a generalized question, and individuals certainly vary, but I haven't spent much time around either of them, and honestly dont' know if there is a trend either way. Or is it just a crap shoot depending on the individual... :confused:

[gillenwaterfarm]

IDSH all the way. Most level headed breed I've ever encountered, which is why I ride and breed them.

[horsetales]

After going the WB route first and me as a timid rider, I did not have good luck with the several I leased or owned. I almost gave up on horses as my confidence was shook badly by my last WB- Selle Francais gelding. Then I found the Irish and I became a solid convert to the irish brain and steadiness. Also, I do consider the Irish a WB as they are not draft horses.

[Foxtrot's]

I'm going with the Irish horse for willingness and sensibleness. It is a generalization, but the WB is either so dead to the leg, or dull, or can be stubbornly woodenheaded, or the opposite and can be sensitive in a difficult way, and hard to get a conversation going with it. I'll probably get nailed for this - but I have decided to put my money with the Irish and am expecting an Irish foal in August. Hoping for a level headed, willing, easy partner.

[not again]

Your question is too general to comment accurately. I've met fruitcakes from many registries and solid citizens from all those same registries. Meet the individual and find out how the parents were.

[okggo]

Most of my experience is with TBs, but I have dealt with a fair # of WBs and have extensive hands-on with one (and only one) Irish Sporthorse.

My reflections, Irish all the way. I wouldn't say quieter, but by far the most willing and sensible of all the horses I've dealt with. He is not a slug by any means, if you ask him to do something he will by all means do it, but it's more of a "is this what you wanted" type response then a "why should I" or "OMG, WHAT?" reaction.

I love TBs, so that should tell you my personal preference is a sensitive horse. I would rather ask a horse once to go and have locomotion until I ask to transition back down, then to constantly remind the horse to keep engaged. The WBs I dealt with all came to me with problems, so it's not fair to judge them all in comparison. But over all, the ones I had to rehab were not very sharp to the aids (one was a 3rd level dressage mount) and I venture to say a bit stubborn. The complete opposite of what I am used to in a TB mount.

My Irish guy I adore. He has the TB, ask and let go mentality, but without the OMB A BIRD, OMG A PUDDLE, OMG Can I RUNNNNNN moments.

But really, I don't think I can make a fair assessment. I raised him, trained him, and brought him up the way I prefer. The WBs came to me soured and sadly on their way to being ruined. But for me it has been far easier to rehab the TBs off the track then the WBs that have come my way. I just felt like they were trying to out think me in a negative way.

Anyway. I do agree, assess the individual. I have bred both mares this year to BWP approved stallions. So obviously my experience with WBs has not influenced my overall opinion on the types. I also have another Irish sporthorse due this year. So once I raise all of those, I feel like I'll be able to give you a more fair assessment, lol.

[Equilibrium]

This question has made me laugh because I'm in Ireland and the 2 ISH I have had and have were like the worst ever Irish horses. The first one was by Errigal Flight. A big good looking grey horse that was happiest when napping. Had vet exam and nothing could be found and he was really taking the p**s out of me so my husband starting riding him. There are no horses that get away with that behavoir with him. He said this has to be the pig headest horse he has ever been around. Since he had no jump and was terrified of hounds we found him a home living up a mountain with an old pony. I think he was happy after that.

The second one we have now. This is my husband's ISH, 1/2draught, 1/2TB. While he is mostly good he panics at the wierdest stuff and he will run you over on the ground if he panics. Most of the time he is a sensible ride but he can all of the sudden throw a huge buck and because he has a rather short neck I just don't ride him. But since he is my husband's horse and he adores him it doesn't really matter as he will never be sold and we got him very cheaply as he was having problems in his old home, napping being the biggest problem, but he hasn't done that since coming here. You cold blame it on the TB stallion but my ex-chaser is by the same TB stallion and he isn't like that.

And my brother in law has a drop dead gorgeous Crosstown Dancer horse that has run off with him numerous times and usually ends up in the woods where he can rub him off on the trees. Just takes the bit and goes. So I'm thinking the best ISH's go to America where they are cherished, spoiled, have a great life and adore their new owners. Beats winters of standing in a bog freezing to death! My husband's horse doesn't stand out in a bog by the way.

I breed warmbloods off of a TB mare and while they are still young, I really like anything with at least 1/2 TB. Not for everyone but it's what I prefer.

But this is what I think makes the ISH a very good horse for most people. Because the examples I have shown are very rare and they are brilliant horses. They always find a 5th leg when a sticky situation arrives, they are so very hardy, your feed bills will be cut in half as they survive on little to nothing and because most of them grow up rough and ready without a bit of comfort, I think they are greatful when they find a caring owner that pampers their every whim!

Terri

[ThirdCharm]

I have a WB (Hanoverian) mare that I event at Prelim, an ISH broodmare and her 3/4 TB ISH daughter, and have ridden many TBs, WBs and Irish horses over the years. Hands-down for the Ammy rider especially, IRISH. Powerful, sensible, willing...

Jennifer

[Sassenach]

ISH.

You can't beat their temperament and willingness :yes: If I was about 4 inches taller I'd have a barn full of them. As it is I'm sticking with my Connemaras :winkgrin: though Foxglen Himself is swoon-worthy and I'd love a nice TB mare to breed ISH with :yes:

[DLee]

Thanks so much you guys! Like I said, I do realize it is a terribly general question, and having had SO many TB's and they are not all the same, I get that. But it helps to have even a vague idea of people's opinions, when you've never dealt with either yourself.... thanks! Diana

[Horsecrazy27]

I love them both. BUT, my favorite is crossing the irish with the WBs--I have several of that cross in my barn--love it!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the superb WB movement, irish brains, the great width through the chest, great feet--thinking that is from the Irish side, gorgeous eyes, I like the more "substance", sturdy build.

That is my input.

[Altamont Sport Horses]

This is a hard one because I think that it is going to depend a lot on the handling starting when they were born...not always, but yes. I have Trakehners, TB cross, and IDSH yearlings and two year olds and older. I have to say that my Irish youngsters are not easily fazed which is wonderful and perhaps they settle into something new a little quicker than the others. On the other hand sometimes they are a little too easy going or perhaps it is just their style of resistance (passive). But these are just a couple of youngsters and are not yet under saddle, just being worked in hand at this point.

I do have a 2007 IDSH yearling filly by Macha Breeze RID and out of a Anglo-Trakehner mare that I think is a wonderful balance. She's energetic and athletic but not silly, easy going but not lazy and just a super loving and level-headed young lady. We're expecting another in May by the same stallion, out of a different dam, and I'm even more excited this year after seeing what came from the first one.

[Equilibrium]

I love them both. BUT, my favorite is crossing the irish with the WBs--I have several of that cross in my barn--love it!!!!!!!!!!!! I have the superb WB movement, irish brains, the great width through the chest, great feet--thinking that is from the Irish side, gorgeous eyes, I like the more "substance", sturdy build.

That is my input.


I sold one of these to the States a few years back. She was awesome! Out of a Sea Crest mare and by a Dutch stallion. She got the best of both worlds!

I'm not so sure it's the handling when they are younger. Seriously this is old school over here. At weaning chuck them out in the field until they are 3 or 4. Then break and go. They may or may not get their feet done or wormed. They are just really hardy. I took my warmblood foal to my local show for a bit of craic 3 years ago. It was mid Sept and my guy was weaned so he did it all on his own. We were braided had on a little bridle, all very professional. The other Irish foals were still with their moms but scraggly hadn't seen a brush, and a guy with a lunge line on the foal but yet walking the length of the lunge line behind foal. It was like a free for all! Me and Alfie were like WTF!

Terri