Harmonization

Prior to harmonization, the Irish Draught Horse Societies around the world (Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, North America, Australia) had a common purpose to promote and preserve the Irish Draught, but did not really recognize the work of each other’s organizations. 

In 2010, and partially due to changes in EU legislation related to studbook management for all species, Horse Sport Ireland began talks with the different Irish Draught Societies to bring everyone under a single umbrella of rules for registration and inspection. 

By the end of 2012, IDHSGB and IDHSCA had harmonized with Ireland, followed later by the IDHSNA.  As a result, the studbooks now follow similar rules for registration and inspection, and any horse registered in one of the studbooks is automatically recognized in the other studbooks. 

This has allowed for greater diversity in the world wide herd, particularly because stallions from one country can now be used in another, without fear that the stallion’s inspection status (or merit) may not be recognized.