Two Popular Colors of Gypsy Horses - Black/ Blagdon and Piebald. Some people are breeding for other colors.
Tonka of Meadowbrook Farm UK
Authentic Gypsy vardo at Equine Affaire in Pomona, CA
THE GYPSY HORSE is one of the rarest horses in the United States today. They were first introduced to the US about 10 years ago. There are only a few thousand of these horses in the USA. The breed is a body type, not a color breed. These horses with their intelligence, docil personalities, brilliant coat patterns, exquisitly long mane and tail, heavy bone, and abundance of leg feather make this one of the most exciting breeds to be introduced to this country. The Gypsies of Great Britain bred for a small draft horse with more color, more feather, and a sweeter head. Standard gypsy horses range insizes from 12.2 hands up to15 hands. The gypsy horse must have conformation, docil temperament, and quality feather - leg hair . Feather is a cumulative gene, so only feathered horses were used in the development of the breed. All feathered horses have what is called a cold blooded personality. The breeds’ docile temperament comes from these feathered breeds in its background The word Gypsy is an umbrella word for people called Romany, Irish and Scottish travelers, Didikoi and others. The word Gypsy in Gypsy Horse therefore honors the people that envisioned and created the breed. The Gypsy people are a nomadic race that traditionally kept no permanent property to call home. Gypsies as a whole do not believe in banking. They carried their wealth in the fineness of the caravan homes, the horses that pulled them, their fine china, and the gold coins they wore ornamentally on their body. Each item in their caravan wagon home was the finest they could afford and was a source of pride. The Gypsies would try to outdo each other showing off each time they met. Their ornately decorated caravans were painted and decorated with gold leaf to display their wealth. Most wagons were painted red, yellow and green. These are colors that meant good fortune to the Gypsy people. Not only was the eye drawn to the beautiful caravan, but to the magnificent little draft type horse pulling the Gypsy home. This unusual horse trotting in its flashy manner bringing their wealth of home and family down the road is the result of years of breeding for temperament, movement, economical upkeep and flash. The proud carriage and free flowing movement characteristic of the Gypsy Horse was sure to draw people's attention to this glorious equine coming down the road.
The Gypsy Horse did not acquire its magnificent color patterns until the 20th century. When the United Kingdom was embroiled in war, the English government confiscated solid color horses for the field of battle. The Gypsies shrewdly introduced the pinto coloration to the breed as the British government didn't want horses that would standout on the field of battle. The Gypsies took to this color change with great fervor and were thrilled with the way their horses were enhanced by this new flashy look. Solid color Gypsy Horses can still be found today, but they predominantly are a 50/50 balance of black and white coloration.
These horses today are still a great part of the Gypsy wealth. As Gypsies don't like to keep their money in banks, much of their wealth is measured in their horses. There is a Gypsy saying about their horses. "Gypsy gold does not clink and glitter, it shines in the sun and neighs atnight."
Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, or a propper cob, are some of the other names also used to describe the Gypsy Horse. Whatever you call them, these are truly enchanting horses that will steal your heart!
