The Gypsy Horse was developed primarily by the Travelers and Romany peoples of Europe- most notably Britain and Ireland. The horse was developed through selective breeding to create a smaller draft type horse- suitable for pulling their heavy caravans but also a sure footed mount, gentle and uncomplicated in nature - the stallions were expected to have a calm and easy disposition as this was a "family horse" living as part of the family and performing tasks ranging from babysitter to pack horse. The Travelers and Romany peoples bred for horse that was strong with heavy bone and feather and ample mane, they loved flashy horse. The breed's origins are said to be the result of multiple different influences- Clydesdale, Shire, Dales pony and Fells pony.
Todays Gypsy Horse comes in a variety of colors and patterns; it is said that color preference started back when horses of solid dark colors were being confiscated for the war efforts, quick to adapt the Travelers and Romany folk adjusted their breeding for flashy coloring like the black and white since those were avoided by the military as they were not easily camouflaged. Thus the many colors we see- the traditional black and white Piebald, red and white Skewbald, Palomino, Bay, Tri-Color, grey, Roan. I need to mention one should never place color as a priority over conformation. It also should be mentioned that in Europe you will hear the Gypsy Horse referred to as traditional cob or Gypsy cob, in Europe "cob" more loosely refers to specific type of horse, in US cob is strictly body type.
In 1996 the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was established by Dennis Thompson and his wife Cindy whom were the first to import these mysterious horses to the United States from England after meeting with a traveler and his beloved horses. The name "Gypsy Vanner" was decided upon as part of this collaboration to identify the gypsy horse as a breed here in the US. Please visit GVHS breed standards http://vanners.org/pdf_post/breed-standard/ . There are several other registries here in the US, Wool & Withers will not discourage you from exploring each one - they are GVHS , GHRA, GHA, GCDHA ... in Europe there is TGCA (Traditional Gypsy Cob Assoc). Several of our horses have multiple registrations. We encourage you look at the breed standards from each of the registries GHRA https://ghra.us/ghra-rule-book-2/ for their breed standard in detail, and visit TGCA as well. The basics of the breed standard and I am going to quote the TCGA Breed Standard as it is a short condensed description that I like- " The Traditional Gypsy Cob should be a strong, sturdy and powerful cob coupled with an abundance of luxuriant flowing mane, forelock, tail, and leg hair which is known as feather. Traditional Gypsy Cobs should always have plenty of heart room, and should have a deep girth to match. They should display ample bone and be well muscled within a broad compact body with powerful hindquarters. They should have a kind, willing, intelligent and gentle disposition. They are renowned for their patient, kind and sensible nature. Traditional Gypsy Cobs make a versatile all round animal, most suitable for driving, riding and are ideal family horses. " In many ways the Gypsy horse is truly a reflection of the peoples that created it - strong, hard working and a true heart. They are steeped in mystery but adaptable and all enduring, ageless as it may seem. With so many breeds changing, we at Wool & Withers farm hope to maintain the goals of the Travelers and Romany folk to maintain the traditional strengths of the breed that took so long to develop. We strongly encourage you to educate yourself about the breed, talk to reputable and knowledgeable people in the US and Europe because there are many horses out there labeled as "Pure Gypsy Cob or Vanner" but there are by far fewer that fit the bill. Please take the time to know the difference.
Todays Gypsy Horse comes in a variety of colors and patterns; it is said that color preference started back when horses of solid dark colors were being confiscated for the war efforts, quick to adapt the Travelers and Romany folk adjusted their breeding for flashy coloring like the black and white since those were avoided by the military as they were not easily camouflaged. Thus the many colors we see- the traditional black and white Piebald, red and white Skewbald, Palomino, Bay, Tri-Color, grey, Roan. I need to mention one should never place color as a priority over conformation. It also should be mentioned that in Europe you will hear the Gypsy Horse referred to as traditional cob or Gypsy cob, in Europe "cob" more loosely refers to specific type of horse, in US cob is strictly body type.
In 1996 the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was established by Dennis Thompson and his wife Cindy whom were the first to import these mysterious horses to the United States from England after meeting with a traveler and his beloved horses. The name "Gypsy Vanner" was decided upon as part of this collaboration to identify the gypsy horse as a breed here in the US. Please visit GVHS breed standards http://vanners.org/pdf_post/breed-standard/ . There are several other registries here in the US, Wool & Withers will not discourage you from exploring each one - they are GVHS , GHRA, GHA, GCDHA ... in Europe there is TGCA (Traditional Gypsy Cob Assoc). Several of our horses have multiple registrations. We encourage you look at the breed standards from each of the registries GHRA https://ghra.us/ghra-rule-book-2/ for their breed standard in detail, and visit TGCA as well. The basics of the breed standard and I am going to quote the TCGA Breed Standard as it is a short condensed description that I like- " The Traditional Gypsy Cob should be a strong, sturdy and powerful cob coupled with an abundance of luxuriant flowing mane, forelock, tail, and leg hair which is known as feather. Traditional Gypsy Cobs should always have plenty of heart room, and should have a deep girth to match. They should display ample bone and be well muscled within a broad compact body with powerful hindquarters. They should have a kind, willing, intelligent and gentle disposition. They are renowned for their patient, kind and sensible nature. Traditional Gypsy Cobs make a versatile all round animal, most suitable for driving, riding and are ideal family horses. " In many ways the Gypsy horse is truly a reflection of the peoples that created it - strong, hard working and a true heart. They are steeped in mystery but adaptable and all enduring, ageless as it may seem. With so many breeds changing, we at Wool & Withers farm hope to maintain the goals of the Travelers and Romany folk to maintain the traditional strengths of the breed that took so long to develop. We strongly encourage you to educate yourself about the breed, talk to reputable and knowledgeable people in the US and Europe because there are many horses out there labeled as "Pure Gypsy Cob or Vanner" but there are by far fewer that fit the bill. Please take the time to know the difference.
|
Photo to the Left is some lovely Gypsy mares and foals owned by Eddie Dignam in Ireland whom invited us for a visit, we will never forget the lovely drive he took us on with his mare Harley truly the highlight of our time in Dublin.
On the Right is a snapshot of some of the fabulous mares of SD Farms owned by the Downs Family in England, they were a vision as they came running from the bottom of the fields we thought we were in heaven. I strongly suggest people traveling to either England or Ireland to make a point to visit some of these farms and meet the people whom maintain this breed to its true standard. You will not be dissappointed. |
|