About the Gypsy Horse
Gypsy Horses have been called many names, Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, Romany Horse, Irish Cob, or Tinker Horse... all these terms relate to a similar horse, however, it is the quality and DNA type that may vary. Even though there are many names, all Gypsy Horses derive from the same nomadic culture and background. Today, the Gypsy horse is rapidly gaining popularity due to their striking looks, wonderful attributes, and fascinating heritage...
The Gypsy Horse History
The true Gypsy Horse is a traditional horse and was specifically bred and has been used by the Romany people or "Gypsies", in Europe for many years. The Romany people bred colorful, feathered cob horses to pull their ornately decorated carts and living wagons, or "Vardos", thru the countryside of England and Ireland. The uniquely colored Gypsy horses made them difficult to be stolen or swapped. The docile and easy going temperament was essential with the Gypsy Horse. No aggressive or dangerous behaviors were permitted and any horse that showed such tendencies were not used for breeding. These horses often worked a long day pulling wagons and, at the end of a long day, they still had the patience to teach the gypsy children how to ride, or to be ridden bareback into towns for supplies. Traveling the roads, it was essential that the horses be sound, hardy in nature, and easily kept, as there were no special provisions made for food or shelter. They lived on the vacant land and grass strips found next to the road. The Gypsy horse was the Romany people's means of travel, of employment, were their greatest source of pride, and were held very dear to their hearts. While the majority of the traveling Romany people have now settled into more modern housing, a few can still occasionally be seen trotting along the roads and lanes in the UK and Ireland. An annual event called the "Appleby Fair" is still the site where many Romany people gather to trade, sell, and show off these historic horses.
The Gypsy Horse moves into the modern age
For years, the Gypsy Horse has not been recognized by the mainstream equestrian society. Recently, however, the Gypsy Horse has developed an enthusiastic following throughout Europe, North America and Australia. Gypsy Horses have been imported into the United States only for the past 14 years. Coming from a culture that, traditionally, has not kept written records, the best bloodlines were all kept and recorded only in memory. Generations of breeding have been handed down father to son without the aid of accepted means of documentation. Gypsy horses originally started with crosses of the Shire, Clydesdale, Friesian, Dales Pony and to a lesser degree the Fells Pony.
U.S. Introduction
In November 1996, Dennis and Cindy Thompson of Ocala, Florida, imported the first Gypsy Horses to North America and established the first documented breed standards as well as a formal breed registry. Upon their U.S. introduction, the Thompson's named these imported horses the "Gypsy Vanner Horse" and the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was conceived. Other Gypsy Horse registries were formed such as the Gypsy Horse Registry of America, The Gypsy Horse Association, and the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association. With the now widespread popularity of the breed, crossing not only international borders but also cultural boundaries, it became imperative that proper parentage verification be administered and documented. DNA testing has been established to form a modern data bank and many people have worked countless hours to ensure the colorful history and a bright future is preserved for this wonderful breed.
U.S. Introduction
In November 1996, Dennis and Cindy Thompson of Ocala, Florida, imported the first Gypsy Horses to North America and established the first documented breed standards as well as a formal breed registry. Upon their U.S. introduction, the Thompson's named these imported horses the "Gypsy Vanner Horse" and the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was conceived. Other Gypsy Horse registries were formed such as the Gypsy Horse Registry of America, The Gypsy Horse Association, and the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association. With the now widespread popularity of the breed, crossing not only international borders but also cultural boundaries, it became imperative that proper parentage verification be administered and documented. DNA testing has been established to form a modern data bank and many people have worked countless hours to ensure the colorful history and a bright future is preserved for this wonderful breed.
The Gypsy Horse Today
The beauty of these horses is surpassed only by their gentle and intelligent nature making them now highly sought after outside the Romany culture. Originally bred to pull the caravans, Gypsies posses an amazing athleticism that now has them excelling nearly all riding disciplines and driving.
Gypsy horses are strikingly beautiful and come in numerous colors, the most traditional being the spotted pinto patterns, "piebald" (black and white) and "skewbald" (brown and white). They possess lushly feathered legs, and amazing long flowing manes and tails. The traditional Gypsy stands between 13 hands and 16 hands tall. The Gypsy horse achieved its designer looks through the perfect union of a powerful and athletic body with heavy, flat bone along with intelligence and docility. They possess a wonderfully enchanting, kind, and intelligent demeanor and expression that is appreciated by horse lovers world wide.
Gypsy horses are strikingly beautiful and come in numerous colors, the most traditional being the spotted pinto patterns, "piebald" (black and white) and "skewbald" (brown and white). They possess lushly feathered legs, and amazing long flowing manes and tails. The traditional Gypsy stands between 13 hands and 16 hands tall. The Gypsy horse achieved its designer looks through the perfect union of a powerful and athletic body with heavy, flat bone along with intelligence and docility. They possess a wonderfully enchanting, kind, and intelligent demeanor and expression that is appreciated by horse lovers world wide.