Irish Horses

Irish breeds of horse are renowned for their strength, versatility, and beauty. From the native breeds of the Connemara pony, Kerry Bog Pony and the Irish Draught horse, to the elegant performance horse breeds of the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Piebald & Skewbald and Irish Warmblood, these breeds have a rich history in Ireland and are prized for their athleticism and gentle temperament. If you are interested in Harness Racing then the Irish Bred, Irish Standardbred Trotter or Pacers will be of interest to you and you may not be aware that Ireland is a source of other breeds, such as the Irish Clydesdale Horse, Irish Shire and Welsh Cob and Pony Society through recently established breeding programmes.

Whether you are looking for a top performing show jumping or event horse, or a reliable mount for hunting or simply a companion for leisurely rides through the countryside, Irish horses offer something for every equestrian enthusiast. Discover the unique characteristics and charm of Irish breeds of horse by exploring the various traits associated with each in the Irish Breeds guide below. If possible, plan a visit to Ireland to experience the magic of these Irish horses for yourself. The Irish Horse Board is here to assist you in planning a visit or sourcing your next perfect equine partner from Ireland. Please contact us

Connemara Pony

The Connemara pony, an Irish native breed, originated in the part of County Galway known as Connemara, west of Lough Corrib and bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the Republic of Ireland. The Connemara pony is considered an endangered breed under EU law.

Irish Clydesdale

Clydesdale horses are another magnificent draught horse breed known for their strength, size, and striking appearance. They originate from the Clydesdale region in Scotland and have become famous worldwide, especially due to their use in promotional events and parades.

Irish Cob

The Irish Cob is a native Irish breed and although it has a long history the Studbook was only officially founded in 1998. Prior to this linages were passed down verbally from generation to generation. The breed is referred to worldwide by many different names such as Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Horse, Gypsy Vanner and Irish Tinker.

Irish Draught Horse

The Irish Draught Horse developed as a working horse on Irish farms with references to the breed dating as far back as the 18th century. Due to the small size of farm holdings in Ireland at the time most farmers could not afford to keep more than one horse and as a result Irish breeders developed an adaptable draught horse capable of carrying out all of the work on the farm as well as being used for riding, hunting and driving.

Irish Shire horse

The Shire horse is a magnificent and powerful draught horse breed that originates from England. It is one of the largest horse breeds in the world and has a long history dating back to medieval times.

Irish Sport Horse

Ireland is well known as a country with a long equestrian tradition, it is therefore not surprising that the Irish Sport Horse breed developed with an innateability for the equestrian sports of showjumping and eventing.

Irish Sport Pony

The Irish Sport Pony Studbook was approved by Department of Agriculture and Marine (DAFM) in 2016 and the Irish Sport Pony Studbook is the studbook of origin for this breed.

Irish Standard Bred Pacer

The Standardbred Pacer Horse should be a functionally correct model of balanced proportions that is conducive to successful performance at international level in harness racing disciplines.

Irish Standard Bred Trotter

The distinguishing characteristic of a Trotter is its ability to maintain a trotting gait where the diagonally opposite legs move in unison at full flight without breaking into a gallop. The Trotter Horse should be a functionally correct model of balanced proportions that is conducive to successful performance at international level in harness racing disciplines.

Irish Warmblood

Warmblood Studbook of Ireland (WSI) was approved by the Irish Minister of Agriculture in 2009, and is a Full Member of the WBFSH. The Studbook was founded by three breeders who shared the goal of defining, stewarding, and promoting a new breed of horse based on continental warmblood genetics, the Irish Warmblood.