I WAS one of three boys born to Micko and Bridget Foran in Querrin, a small, scenic townland in West Clare. Although it’s only 60 years ago, life was very different back then. Everything centred around the farm. Mealtime conversations were always about the animals - horses, cows, calves, hens, geese – and, occasionally, a fox trying to make off with one.

We weren’t among the privileged few who had a tractor, so all the work was done by horse. That meant horses were central to daily life and they were respected for the essential role they played. My brothers, Paul and James, and I spent every summer holiday on the farm, storing fodder for the winter and bringing turf home from the bog. I think it was during those summers that my deep love of the horse began to form. I was captivated by the magic of foals being born - there’s something truly special about the arrival of a newborn foal.

The first mare I ever pestered my father to buy was a Hubble Bubble out of a Golden Plover dam. She turned out to be a lucky purchase. Her third foal, a colt by Samiel, went on to win at the Royal Windsor. That was a proud moment for us all and the start of what has become a lifelong passion.

I eventually inherited the family farm, met my wife Josephine and together we raised four children: Marie, Brid, Patricia and Denis. They all helped out and took riding lessons, but none have expressed interest in continuing the operation. I currently have about 30 Irish Draughts, but as time moves on, I find myself pondering the future and how long I can keep it going without someone having my back.

1. Congratulations, you bred a Class 1 Irish Draught stallions at Cavan: the Meehan family’s Longwood Sandyman, the first Class 1 approved palomino stallion. Tell us about him.

In 2011, I bought an Elm Hill mare from Richard Hourigan in Tipperary. She turned out to be an excellent broodmare. I had her covered by Gortfree Hero and the resulting filly - Willow - passed inspection with a bronze merit.

I later bred Willow to Longwood Dunbelievable, a beautiful stallion standing with Eddie and Sophie Meehan. That pairing produced a stunning palomino, now known as Longwood Sandyman - a horse I’m extremely proud of.

2. Proudest breeder moment?

Over the years, I’ve bred many foals, and it’s hard to pick just one proudest moment. But breeding Forans Matilda, who won the All-Ireland three-year-old filly championship in Bantry in 2014, is high on the list.

Tom Casey (God rest him) also won the All-Ireland class with a two-year-old filly I bred from Financial Reward and a Young Edmund mare. These are the moments that make the long hours and tough winters worthwhile.

3. Prefixes - your thoughts?

The prefix system has also meant a lot to me. It’s brilliant - it helps to identify a horse’s origin and keeps a line’s reputation alive.

4. Internet - good or bad servant?

Unfortunately, I’m not too friendly with the internet myself. I sometimes get my daughter Marie to give me a hand with the computer as this is something I struggle with. Recently, I needed a passport endorsed. She tried to do it online, but the horse register wouldn’t send out the marking sheets without first submitting the passport. I fail to understand the logic. Some of these systems just make things harder for breeders.

5. Favourite stallions?

When it comes to stallions, it’s hard to narrow it down to one favourite. I like Dunbelievable and the temperament of his stock. Gortfree Hero was a very lucky stallion for me. I haven’t seen any bad Coolcronan Wood horses either.

The one I have myself - Rockrimmon Robusticus - is very precious to me. I’d have loved to have been his breeder.

6. Your template for a good type?

As for the type of horse I like - I aim for a solid animal with presence. About 16.1hh, short cannon bone, good rein, nice head, a leg in each corner and plenty of power down the hindquarters. They’ve got to be able to move.

It’s hard to get everything perfect, but if they can stand long and be tight on top, it certainly helps.

7. It takes a team - who’s on yours?

My team has always been my family - mainly because I could never afford to pay anyone else. I also fostered two boys and a girl from Kilkee, and they were just brilliant. They had the toughness and resilience you need to deal with horses. My own health failed me a few years back and I wouldn’t have been able to continue without them.

Sadly, one of them - Jonathon Clancy - passed away last October. May he rest in peace. He had a great way with horses, a temperament and calmness that they responded to.

8. Breeding horses, would you do it all over again?

If I could do it all again, I would. This is what I dreamt of doing since I was a child. It may not be the easiest way to keep bread on the table, but I love it. Horses have given me purpose, connection and pride.

You meet a lot of great people and one I must mention is the late Paddy Downes, a horseman I learned a lot from.

9. Greatest challenges facing breeders?

Today’s challenges are many. The biggest one for breeders now is access to affordable land. We’re being priced out by the dairy men.

Buyers aren’t as hardy as they once were either. Unless the temperament is 100%, they won’t take them on. And if you’re lucky enough to secure a decent price, they’ll want x-rays. I often wonder what they’d find if they x-rayed us!

It’s also a neglected industry. There’s no real support reaching the breeder on the ground. The cost of registering a foal is outrageous and delays with passports can lose you a sale. We’re expected to do our part, but the system makes it harder with every step.

10. Your hope for the future of the Irish Draught breed?

When we talk about the future of the Irish Draught, we must address the elephant in the room: there is no place for two organisations. We need one voice. One direction. The people at the top should meet in the middle and do what’s best for the breed.

I’ve spoken to many great breeders over the years who work solely to promote and protect our brilliant horses. It’s time the organisations did the same.