Irish Draught Mare Selection

Experts in equine reproduction agree that the mare is responsible for 50% or more influence over all the foal’s attributes and flaws. Therefore, each mare owner has the power to have long-term impact on future generations of any breed. The implications are staggering. In time, many signature characteristics of any particular breed can essentially be eliminated through breeding lesser quality animals. Only carefully selected stock should be chosen for breeding purposes. This is especially relevant for such a rare breed as ours, the Irish Draught Horse. Ultimately, the responsibility of preserving the highest standards the Irish Draught in North America lies with the mare owner. The mare owner chooses the quality of mare and stallion, and thus, the genes that will be passed on for generations.

Overall performance is often the best judge of a suitable mare. Since no horse is perfect, we feel that the mares which will produce the best quality foals possess most of the following attributes:

• Outstanding temperament
• Excellent conformation which includes:
• Straight and correct legs
• Athleticism
• Well-set neck
• Long, angled shoulder
• Substantial and powerful croup
• Deep barrel
• Overall sense of balance and elegance
• Beautiful head
• Suspension with powerful, ground-covering movement
• Presence