The Irish Draught originates from Ireland, of course. They were developed more towards the eighteenth century when Irish farmers needed a farm horse to pull the plow that was different from their British counterparts: the Shire and the Clydesdale, since the feather (extra hair on the lower legs) collected burrs and stickers, they weren't of use in Ireland. In turn, horses of a heavier build from Ireland's own stock were selected to develop an all-around horse with a good temperament. In WWI, the Irish Draught was the most favored because they had no feather on their lower legs and they could do anything from in saddle to cart pulling. Their population grew until the 1940's and 50's when the tractor took over the farms. The Irish Draught Horse Society was established in 1976.
Their height ranges from 15.2hh-17hh. Any solid color is accepted, except for "Clyde" markings (the typical Sabino1 pattern in Clydesdale Horses, where the white extends higher than the knees and hocks).
Breyerfest 2020 Online Auction model Lot #8 is a Dappled Grey on the Cleveland Bay mold (***photo coming***). This mold has been used twice before for the Irish Draught with the portrait model: O'Leary's Irish Diamond; and The Best of the British Series.
Resources:
"International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds" by Bonnie Hendricks
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