Emerald Isle Equines

St. Patrick, known for spreading Christianity across Ireland, must have had a soft spot for horses! With its temperate climate, lush grass, wide open spaces and agricultural history, Ireland provides the perfect environment for these equines to flourish.

Connemara Pony

There are many pony breeds (under 14.2 hands) native to the regions near Ireland, including Welsh Ponies, Dales Ponies, Shetland Ponies and Highland Ponies, as well as many others. However, the most famous Irish-bred pony is the Connemara, an attractive breed with natural athleticism and talent. Connemaras tend to be taller than some other native pony breeds as well as hardy, smart and easy to handle, which make them excellent for families.

Connemaras are used as driving animals, but also can be found in riding events, such as show jumping, dressage and endurance riding. This modern pony’s history (possibly) dates back to the Iron Age, while Spanish horses from the Iberian Peninsula were used to develop the breed further.

Irish Draught

The Irish Draught was used as a workhorse throughout the many centuries of its history, but it’s not exactly a typical draft horse like a Clydesdale or Shire. Instead, this national horse breed of Ireland is a basic light horse — active, energetic, athletic and powerful. It has the docile disposition to be an excellent riding horse, but it’s also known for being sound (resistant to lameness), and strong.

The Irish Draught has powerful hindquarters that are a true asset for jumping (which they excel at), but they’re also commonly used as driving animals — a throwback to the breed’s early days as cart horses for farmers.

Irish Sport Horse

Some enterprising horse breeders took the warm-blooded Irish Draught, added in some Thoroughbred bloodlines and invented the Irish Sport Horse – the equivalent of the American Thoroughbred.

The “sport horse” designation is a popular contemporary term to describe a horse that has been specifically bred for the modern versions of equestrian sports such as dressage, showjumping and eventing. The result is a horse that possesses the best athletic attributes of the Thoroughbred but adds in a dash of extra soundness and gentle calmness, characteristic of the Irish Draught.

Gypsy Vanner Horse

Gyper Vanners aren’t known for being tall (14.2 hands to 15.2 hands is common), but they are substantial with a definite “draft” look: a stocky build, a broad chest and gentle eyes. They are also quite notably a striking breed with dramatic “feathering” (long hair) around their hooves, and a wide range of coat colors.

Fans of Gypsy Vanners enjoy using these easy-going horses for just about any equine discipline you can think of — English and Western pleasure riding, driving, jumping, trail riding and dressage. Gypsy Vanner horses often display extensive white markings and coat patterns like tobiano, sabino and others.

Kerry Bog Pony

By far the rarest Irish equine on this list, the diminutive Kerry Bog Pony has a modern population numbering only a few hundred. These ponies are tiny, standing only 10 hands or 11 hands tall. Like other native pony breeds, the Kerry Bog Pony once lived in an almost wild/feral state, specifically among the Irish peat bogs.

Thus, the modern Kerry Bog Ponies are known for being incredibly hardy and sturdy, unbothered by inclement weather and excellent at efficiently converting feed to energy. They make great equine companions, and some are even used for pulling light carts.