Ashlara Farm

Ireland's soil, climate and culture makes it the most horse friendly place on earth. The Irish Draught has benefited from this environment for longer than any other type of horse and over the centuries has evolved into Ireland's unique contribution to the equine world.

Tracing its roots back to Celtic times on its island home when the first imported horses raced at ancient festivals or pulled chariots in epic battles, it has gradually evolved into an animal with versatility far beyond what its name implies. At the Battle of Waterloo the victorious Duke of Wellington was mounted on an Irish black called Copenhagen that was bought at the fair of Cahirmee in County Cork, while Napolean's horse Marengo was bred in Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford. Down the centuries international writers on equine matters have had words of praise for the horse of the Irish countryside. In 1850 Thomas Blundeville wrote in his book Riding and Breeding of Great Horses - ' They be tender mouthed, nimble, light pleasant and apt to be taught.' In Wares Antiquities of the 16th Century the Italian Raphael Coalaternus is quoted as declaring that Ireland possessed 'worthy corn and excellent horses'. In 1520 John Mayor said Ireland of the time produced horses 'whose pace was of the gentlest'. In one of Irelands ancient legends 'The wooing of Emer' the two steeds drawing warrior Cuchulainn's chariot were described as 'alike in size, beauty and speed'.

Under Irish Brehon Law, said to date from the early centuries A.D. the criteria for equine quality in Celtic times were thus enumerated - ' A big horse, sound, young, noble, high headed, load carrying, lively hearted broad breasted, haughty, easy bearing, slender legged, well descended.'

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