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HISTORY OF THE GYPSY HORSE/COB/VANNERUntil recently, British Gypsies, known also as Travelers, traveled throughout Great Britain in brightly colored, intricately carved horse-drawn wagons called "caravans." Gypsy breeders envisioned an extravagantly colored, heavily feathered horse to pull and complement these bright wagons. This particular Gypsy-bred horse, which in the US has been named the Gypsy Horse, Gypsy Cob, or Gypsy Vanner, is the embodiment of that vision. Two stallions of Irish origin are reported to have originated the breed around 60 years ago. One stallion, Sonny Mays, was sired by a colored Irish stallion on a mare owned by a Traveler. The second, The Coal Horse, was born in Limerick, Ireland. These two stallions sired most of the foundation stallions of the breed.In theory, the Gypsy Horse was bred from horses of three British draft breeds—the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony; in actuality, a Gypsy Horse’s ancestry may include other breeds, even non-drafts. The Romany Grai, another, more lightly framed Gypsy-bred horse, is reputed to have some Fells Pony ancestors. The Fells Pony is very closely related to the Dales Pony but is smaller and less heavily built. The extent of other breeds in its pedigree separates the Gypsy Horse from other lighter Gypsy-bred horses, such as the Romany Grai and the horses the Gypsies call “trotters”.Because of the breed’s ancestry, Gypsy Horses possess characteristics from the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony, which is the heaviest pony breed in Great Britain. It is responsible for the breed’s small size and the dainty head seen on some Gypsy Horses. Typically, a Dales Pony stands between 14.0hh-14.2hh but weighs around 1,000 pounds. Since the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony all have feather, the Gypsy Horse does also. The source of the Gypsy Horse's extravagant coloring may be the Shire. Color was fairly common among Shires until around the 1900s, when solid coat patterns became fashionable.What were the reasons for breeding a small draft horse such as the Gypsy Horse? One such reason, to have a horse showy enough to complement the brightly colored wagons driven by the Gypsy breeders, was given above. But the Gypsy Horse was not just for show; he performed a vital function—pulling his family’s wagon. For this type of work, a heavy draught horse such as the Shire, which typically stands between 16.2 and 17.2 hands and weighs between 2,240 and 2,688 lbs, was overkill. Even the smaller Clydesdale was too much horse for this task. An even smaller draft horse such as the Gypsy Horse was capable of performing the work needed and required only a fraction of the feed needed to maintain the massive Shire. This need to create a draft horse capable of performing the relatively light work of pulling a wagon and needing minimal feed was the primary reason for the creation of the horse we call the Gypsy Horse. While the Gypsy Horse was bred for the road, the nomadic life of the road further shaped him, both physically and mentally. By necessity, he was hardy, thriving on uncertain forage found at campsites as the Gypsy caravans traveled from place to place. These campsites most likely provided no shelter for the horses; his profuse mane, tail, and feathers provided protection from the cold and wet. He was an integral part of his family and so had to be tolerant and kind. He had to able to be handled and managed even by the family’s children. Any horse which behaved aggressively was immediately banished. The American discoverers of the breed were Dennis and Cindy Thompson. While driving through the English countryside in 1994, they glimpsed an extravagantly feathered black and white stallion and stopped to inquire about him. Two years later, they imported the first two Gypsy Horse mares, and founded the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, one of the breed's registries. Other registries include the Gypsy Horse Association, the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, and the Gypsy Cob Society of America. The Thompsons coined the name “Vanner” for this imported breed, and intended the name to refer not to all Gypsy-bred horses, but only to those which they felt embodied the vision of the breed’s originators, whom they sought to honor. Some lovers of this breed choose not to use the name “Vanner”, but rather prefer to use one of the other accepted names for the breed, Gypsy Cob or Gypsy Horse. It is important to understand that all Gypsy Horses (AKA Gypsy Cobs/Gypsy Vanners) are “Gypsy-bred” horses, but not all “Gypsy-bred” horses are Gypsy Horses. The term "Gypsy-bred horse" refers to the range of horses bredby the Gypsies over the years - from the lighter boned Trotters & Romani Grai, to the beautiful "proper cobs" that have taken them many years to develop and perfect.The Gypsy Horse/Cob/Vanner breed is intended to identify the "finished product" of all of those years of breeding.These top Gypsy Horses (known simply as a "good horse" or "proper cob" to the Gypsies) are more expensive among both Gypsies and non-Gypsies. It is largely because the entire package has been such a labor to achieve - the heavy bone, profuse feather, compact draft size, docile temperament, incredible brains, long thick hair, "sweet" head, strong neck, short back, endurance, heartiness, breath-taking beauty, and a mystical distinct quality that only the best can reflect.Despite its youth, the Gypsy Horse breed is rapidly gaining recognition. In 2004, the Gypsy Horse was accepted by the United States Dressage Foundation All Breeds Program so that individual Gypsy Horses can now win breed-specific awards for achievements in dressage activities sponsored by the USDP.
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History
history
HISTORY OF THE GYPSY HORSE/COB/VANNER Until recently, British Gypsies, known also as Travelers, traveled throughout Great Britain in brightly colored, intricately carved horse-drawn wagons called "caravans." Gypsy breeders envisioned an extravagantly colored, heavily feathered horse to pull and complement these bright wagons. This particular Gypsy-bred horse, which in the US has been named the Gypsy Horse, Gypsy Cob, or Gypsy Vanner, is the embodiment of that vision. Two stallions of Irish origin are reported to have originated the breed around 60 years ago. One stallion, Sonny Mays, was sired by a colored Irish stallion on a mare owned by a Traveler. The second, The Coal Horse, was born in Limerick, Ireland. These two stallions sired most of the foundation stallions of the breed.In theory, the Gypsy Horse was bred from horses of three British draft breeds—the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony; in actuality, a Gypsy Horse’s ancestry may include other breeds, even non-drafts. The Romany Grai, another, more lightly framed Gypsy-bred horse, is reputed to have some Fells Pony ancestors. The Fells Pony is very closely related to the Dales Pony but is smaller and less heavily built. The extent of other breeds in its pedigree separates the Gypsy Horse from other lighter Gypsy-bred horses, such as the Romany Grai and the horses the Gypsies call “trotters”.Because of the breed’s ancestry, Gypsy Horses possess characteristics from the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony, which is the heaviest pony breed in Great Britain. It is responsible for the breed’s small size and the dainty head seen on some Gypsy Horses. Typically, a Dales Pony stands between 14.0hh-14.2hh but weighs around 1,000 pounds. Since the Shire, Clydesdale, and Dales Pony all have feather, the Gypsy Horse does also. The source of the Gypsy Horse's extravagant coloring may be the Shire. Color was fairly common among Shires until around the 1900s, when solid coat patterns became fashionable.What were the reasons for breeding a small draft horse such as the Gypsy Horse? One such reason, to have a horse showy enough to complement the brightly colored wagons driven by the Gypsy breeders, was given above. But the Gypsy Horse was not just for show; he performed a vital function—pulling his family’s wagon. For this type of work, a heavy draught horse such as the Shire, which typically stands between 16.2 and 17.2 hands and weighs between 2,240 and 2,688 lbs, was overkill. Even the smaller Clydesdale was too much horse for this task. An even smaller draft horse such as the Gypsy Horse was capable of performing the work needed and required only a fraction of the feed needed to maintain the massive Shire. This need to create a draft horse capable of performing the relatively light work of pulling a wagon and needing minimal feed was the primary reason for the creation of the horse we call the Gypsy Horse. While the Gypsy Horse was bred for the road, the nomadic life of the road further shaped him, both physically and mentally. By necessity, he was hardy, thriving on uncertain forage found at campsites as the Gypsy caravans traveled from place to place. These campsites most likely provided no shelter for the horses; his profuse mane, tail, and feathers provided protection from the cold and wet. He was an integral part of his family and so had to be tolerant and kind. He had to able to be handled and managed even by the family’s children. Any horse which behaved aggressively was immediately banished. The American discoverers of the breed were Dennis and Cindy Thompson. While driving through the English countryside in 1994, they glimpsed an extravagantly feathered black and white stallion and stopped to inquire about him. Two years later, they imported the first two Gypsy Horse mares, and founded the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, one of the breed's registries. Other registries include the Gypsy Horse Association, the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, and the Gypsy Cob Society of America. The Thompsons coined the name “Vanner” for this imported breed, and intended the name to refer not to all Gypsy-bred horses, but only to those which they felt embodied the vision of the breed’s originators, whom they sought to honor. Some lovers of this breed choose not to use the name “Vanner”, but rather prefer to use one of the other accepted names for the breed, Gypsy Cob or Gypsy Horse. It is important to understand that all Gypsy Horses (AKA Gypsy Cobs/Gypsy Vanners) are “Gypsy-bred” horses, but not all “Gypsy-bred” horses are Gypsy Horses. The term "Gypsy-bred horse" refers to the range of horses bredby the Gypsies over the years - from the lighter boned Trotters & Romani Grai, to the beautiful "proper cobs" that have taken them many years to develop and perfect.The Gypsy Horse/Cob/Vanner breed is intended to identify the "finished product" of all of those years of breeding.These top Gypsy Horses (known simply as a "good horse" or "proper cob" to the Gypsies) are more expensive among both Gypsies and non-Gypsies. It is largely because the entire package has been such a labor to achieve - the heavy bone, profuse feather, compact draft size, docile temperament, incredible brains, long thick hair, "sweet" head, strong neck, short back, endurance, heartiness, breath-taking beauty, and a mystical distinct quality that only the best can reflect.Despite its youth, the Gypsy Horse breed is rapidly gaining recognition. In 2004, the Gypsy Horse was accepted by the United States Dressage Foundation All Breeds Program so that individual Gypsy Horses can now win breed-specific awards for achievements in dressage activities sponsored by the USDP.
standard
GAH Breed StandardGENERAL APPEARANCEThe overall appearance of a Gypsy Horse is that of a powerful, heavy cob type with characteristics of its draft horse origins, coupled with an abundance of flowing mane, tail, and leg hair known as feather. Medium to heavy bone and well-muscled with a broad, sturdy, compact body. Known for their kindness and intelligence, tolerance and patience, as well as their tractable nature and sensible and willing disposition, the overall appearance of the Gypsy Horse should reflect these characteristics. A powerful, agile, well-balanced horse, with good depth of body and heart room, the Gypsy Horse is well suited for riding or driving.SIZEGypsy Horses average between 13hh-15.2hh. Heights outside this range, above or below, are acceptable.HEAD & EYESThe Gypsy Horse should have, by "GYPSY DEFINITION" a "SWEET HEAD", meaning without coarseness, in proportion and fitting well with the overall balance of the horse. The head is neat, noble, expressive, relatively strong without coarseness, and in balance (proportionate) with the body. Bite should be even. Throat latch slightly deeper than lighter breeds. Should be refined enough to allow proper flexing at the poll. The ideal head presents a fairly straight profile (not overly roman-nosed or dished) and good width between nostrils. Forehead is broad between the eyes, which are bright, alert, kind, and well-placed. All eye colors are acceptable. Ears are neat, well-set, and often slightly in-curving.NECKThe neck should be medium long, strong and muscular. A well-defined neck that is in proportion to the back length and well set, tying into a good sloping shoulder. Stallions should display a well arched crest.SHOULDERS & WITHERSThe shoulders should be deep, powerful, and well-sloped, with withers reaching well into the back.BACKThe back should be well-muscled, flexible, and short-coupled relative to the overall body size and substance; mares may have a slightly longer back than males.CHEST & BARRELSturdy and deep, the chest should be broad allowing allowing for a large lung/heart cavity. The chest should be covered with ample muscle, the muscle forming an inverted "V" as it ties into the forearm along the bottom of the chest. The barrel should be deep with well-sprung ribs and a solid covering of muscle. Ribs should not be visible. Barrel should tie in strongly to the loin, appearing compact and powerful.LEGS, HOOVES, & MOVEMENTHocks should be well developed and large, well set with plenty of bone. The hock set should be that of a pulling horse, but not as extreme as a modern draft horse, not to be confused with "cow hocked". Pastern angle should be well matched with shoulder angle. Forearms: Set square, with well defined joints, clean cannon, flat knee bone, the forearms will be short and muscular. Feet, Legs, & Joints: The very best of feet and legs, with flexible joints, showing quality with no coarseness The cannons should be short and display flat bone and well defined tendons. Large, round feet with well developed frogs, the hoof is hard and strong, with wide heels. Shown in natural foot or shod. Movement: The stride should be correct, supple and powerful. Showing good implusion from behind, demonstrating powerful drive. Flowing, effortless in appearance. The horse's movement should be natural, not artificial in any way.....in keeping with it's history and breeding. Some have higher knee action than others, it's way of going can vary from short and economical to longer, reaching strides.HINDQUARTERSHindquarters are muscular, powerful, and well-rounded displaying, using, the coloquial expression an "apple butt" (shape). Good length from the point of the hip through the haunch; should balance the shoulders. Tail well set on, carried naturally while at rest and in action.HAIRMane, forelock, and tail should be ample to profusely abundant. Double manes are common, but not required. Feather on the legs should be from the knees and hock joints down and covering the entire hoof. Hair and feather may vary from straight and silky to coarser and sometimes wavy. Abundance of hair and feather is an important and beguiling characteristic of the Gypsy Horse.COLORS & MARKINGSAll colors, markings, and patterns are acceptable. In the Gypsy Horse breed, the saying, "A good horse never comes in a bad color", has never been more true.DISPOSITION & CHARACTERThe Gypsy Horse should be, above all else, a strong, kind, (very) intelligent partner that works willingly and harmoniously with its handler. They are also described as mannerly and manageable, eager to please, confident, courageous, alert, and loyal with a genuine sociable outlook. The Gypsy Horse is renowned for its gentle, tractable nature and sensible disposition.
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