• Also known as the "horse of the countryside" - this horse was used for every sort of walk on small Irish farms

• This horse is not fast, but can be ridden over tricky countryside obstacles

• When crossed with the Thoroughbred, it produces the world's best cross country horse - the Irish Hunter.

• The horse stands at between 16 and 17 hands high

• Warm blooded

• It is neither as massive nor as heavily feathered as its name implies

• It has an intelligent and gentle nature and is noted for its docility and sense