The purpose of these Objectives is to set out clearly the plans of the Irish Draught Horse Society Limited for the Irish Draught horse.

Background
In its World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has classified the Irish Draught horse as an endangered breed.

The decline in numbers of the Irish Draught horse has been accompanied by the erosion of genetic diversity within the breed, contraction of the fundamental gene pool and increasing levels of inbreeding, which can lead to a decrease in general fitness of the population.

Although not in immediate danger of extinction, a sustained effort is now required to ensure the long-term survival of the breed.

The Irish Draught horse is the indigenous Irish breed of horse and the Irish Draught Horse Studbook has existed since 1917. The Irish Draught horse has historically played an important economic role in the areas of agriculture, forestry, military, leisure, social and sport. It has undoubted potential in many of these areas in the future.

The Irish Draught horse has distinctive, traditional characteristics and its preservation as an important unique genetic resource in Ireland is essential.

General Breed Objectives

1. To ensure that the Breeding Objectives listed below are promoted and implemented,
2. To represent Irish Draught breeders by implementing Members’ views,
3. To ensure that a comprehensive audit of all Irish Draught horses is conducted and updated regularly,
4. To ensure that a breed marketing strategy is designed and implemented for the Irish Draught horse,
5. To ensure that the number of Irish Draught breeding animals is increased,
6. To run a National Breed Show annually.

Breeding Objectives

The Irish Draught Horse Society Limited has adopted the following Breeding Objectives:

1. To ensure that the Irish Draught horse is maintained as a unique genetic resource.
2. To ensure that the genetic diversity currently existing in the Irish Draught horse is maintained and enhanced without damaging the quality and standards of the breed, using methods which are in accordance with best available scientific advice and practice.
3. To ensure that the traditional Irish Draught horse characteristics of bone, type and character are maintained. 
4. To ensure that minimum standards for conformation traits, as defined by the Irish Draught Horse Society Limited, are applied for classification and that there is no selection for traits which may adversely affect traditional characteristics of the Irish Draught breed.