LAST week, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) published the 2026 Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) report, which is an updated version of the original TIH Genetic Diversity Report released in 2025. Compiled by geneticist Dr Jennifer Doyle, the document provides a comprehensive and up to date analysis of the genetics, population structure and reproductive trends within the TIH breeding herd.

The TIH category was introduced to the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) studbook in 2017, in order to differentiate between traditionally-bred horses with only Irish breeding in their back pedigrees, and Irish Sport Horses bred from continental bloodlines. To be eligible for TIH classification, horses must be registered in the Main Section of the ISH Studbook, and have only ISH, Irish Draught, thoroughbred and Connemara Pony breeding recorded in their pedigrees, with no foreign ancestors.