BREEDING traditional - why? A Devil’s Advocate-type question because there’s so much pride and passion amongst breeders for these horses, just as Connemara or Welsh pony enthusiasts, seventh-generation French and German farmers or National Hunt breeders have in their own ‘brands’.

Breeding a TIH is not for every commercial breeder. For most Irish breeders, foals and youngstock have to sell and continental bloodlines are popular sellers. Everyone acknowledges that.