Gypsy Vanner Horse Breed Information

The Gypsy Vanner horse is a beautiful breed with a colorful history. Most common in the United Kingdom and Ireland, it was bred and kept secret for hundreds of years. It's been used as currency, and can fetch tens of thousands of dollars with no certification papers.

  1. History

    • The Gypsy people of Europe needed a horse strong enough to pull their vardos, the wagons that housed all their belongings, and with enough endurance to travel all day. The horse needed to be able to survive on whatever grazing it could find, as well as have a calm temperament. Created after hundreds of years of selective breeding by the nomadic people, the Gypsy Vanner horse is a cross of the Shire, Clydesdale, Dales Pony and Friesian breeds.

    Characteristics

    • Gypsy Vanners are recognized for their sturdy build and feathered legs. The heavy, thick hair starts at the knee and falls to cover the hoof. A Gypsy horse looks like a miniature draft horse and stands between 13 hands and 15 hands high. There is no standard color for Gypsy Vanners, although most are black and white. All markings and patterns are accepted.

    Function

    • Gypsy Vanners are versatile animals. They are used for English and Western riding in a number of disciplines such as dressage or reining. They have been used in driving classes and can be found in horse shows all over the world. Known for its sweet, loving nature, the Gypsy Vanner is a wonderful pleasure horse as well as a childern's mount.

    Geography

    • The Gypsy people, who did not want the horses known to the outside world, kept Gypsy Vanners secret for a long time. This resulted in the horses being found only where the Gypsies would travel, mainly the United Kingdom and Ireland. Today, the Gypsy Vanner is still rare outside of certain circles but gaining popularity in America.

    Types

    • The Gypsy horse is known by many names, including Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, Romany Horse and Tinker Horse. True Gypsy Vanner horses are registered with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society.