HISTORY OF THE GYPSY VANNER
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.
Question of the day: If you could change one thing about your horse, what would it be?
Have a great weekend!
Maria, Dakota N the girlsCome visit me, ~Sierra~ thank u Whiskey & Deacon for vote 1,400!!, ♦Misty♦, Dakota, <>Cherokee<> & ~Scout~RIP~.
|
10/27/2012 05:38.59 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
hi Come visit me, Lacy & Chance.
|
06/26/2012 12:55.03 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
hi Come visit me, Lacy & Chance.
|
06/25/2012 10:51.39 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
hi Come visit me, Lacy & Chance.
|
06/24/2012 10:47.08 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
Voted!
What a cute horse, left a vote! :D
Leave one back with me? thank you!Come visit me, Eire Crest Splendid Lady.
|
06/03/2012 06:33.51 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
Voted ! :)
I voted for you! :) Your a very beautiful horse!Come visit me, Jessy.
|
05/12/2012 01:37.53 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
Hi Chance
Thank you for the vote. I'm sending big hugs and a vote :)Come visit me, Sparkles, Razzle & Marley.
|
05/02/2012 08:23.19 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
|
08/24/2011 09:56.28 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
HOW DO YOU MAKE SUGAR APPLES? Come visit me, Ginger*** Calling all recipes! & ~India's Horses~.
|
07/28/2011 01:59.51 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
Your boy is adorable, I love the face marking :) Come visit me, Stay On Deck.
|
07/28/2011 08:53.10 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
Ya! We reached 200 votes! Thank you so much for voting! Come back today and vote please for Pony Jack! Come visit me, <>Pony Jack<>.
|
06/08/2011 06:28.54 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
Today is the day to vote for Pony Jack! She is running for HOTD on June 4th! Please vote! Every vote counts! I really want her to win! Thank you so much! Come visit me, <>Pony Jack<>.
|
06/03/2011 08:46.58 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
If you’re not already getting your monthly issues of Horse Illustrated, you’re missing out on more expert English and western training advice, competitive insight, important medical updates, tips for better horsekeeping and care, and comprehensive coverage of equine health and nutrition as well as breed profiles, news and lifestyle features for equestrians. Subscribe today -- 1 year (12 issues) as low as $10.00.
|
06/01/2011 12:56.12 PM
|
|
|
Weekend Vote!
I’ve been offline for a couple days, lots of stuff going on. Thursday had a quick ride, Friday I had to get a cavity filled at the dentist ? Now my tooth is killing me! Lol, and to top it off, I’m sick. Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow so I can ride again.
Thanks so much to My Dancing Lakota (#208088) for vote 200! It is much appreciated! Remember to please keep voting for Lilly also in the VHS for Show Scenes and Glamour!
Hope you all are having a great weekend! VOTED! (:
XOXOXO
~~~Olivia&Lilly~~~
***RED HOT LOPIN LILLY AUGUST HOTM***Come visit me, Red Hot Lopin' Lilly *Offline Till June 10th, Sry*.
|
05/14/2011 03:37.20 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
. Come visit me, Lacy & Chance.
|
05/04/2011 06:41.02 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
nice horse left a vote Come visit me, oreo.
|
04/26/2011 01:42.09 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
I llove your horse!! That's so cool that he's 31 and still goin strong! voted Come visit me, Stewball.
|
04/22/2011 01:04.05 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
Hi Chance! What a beautiful boy you are and look at all that nice green grass! I saw you on a friend's page and wanted to come say hi :) Hope you're having a good week. Voted!
If you get a chance, please stop by Koot's page. He is going for HOTM and could really use some more votes :) anything would be great! Thanks!
*Please vote Kootenai #161648 April HOTM!*Come visit me, Kootenai *Please vote Sterl May #220509 June HOTM*.
|
03/10/2011 11:54.18 AM
|
|
Report This Comment
|
|
Left a vote from Nightmare<3 Come visit me, Jazz, Nightmare & Elmer Thudd.
|
03/09/2011 04:45.02 PM
|
|
Report This Comment
|