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The Gypsy Vanner is a breed of horse that can be traced back 60 years to the United Kingdom. A band of nomadic Gypsies decided to develop a horse that would meet a need they saw for a powerful and distinctive horse to pull their caravans. At the same time, the horse needed to be gentle and trustworthy, since it would essentially be a part of the family.
The Gypsies reportedly valued horses as their most prized possessions, and when a horse was particularly good, they would say, “That’s a vanner.” Gypsy Vanners were developed from stock that included Fresian, Shire, Clydesdale and Dales pony.
The breed is relatively compact, averaging between 14 and 15 hands. The horses generally weigh between 1,100 and 1,700 pounds. They are noted for their broad chests and heavy hips complimented by a short neck and back. The Gypsies found them well suited for both harness use and bareback riding. Their athleticism and trainability make them ideal for anything from pleasure riding to dressage.
Gypsy Vanners have a sort of mystical appearance that is created by their flowing manes, tails, and “feathers” above their feet. They are most commonly found in black and white or brown and white.
Today, it is estimated that there are between two and three thousand Gypsy horses in the United Kingdom. However, specifically-bred Gypsy Vanners number only in the hundreds. In the United States, that number drops dramatically.
The first Gypsy Vanners were imported to North America in 1996 by Dennis and Cindy Thompson after they discovered the breed on a business trip to England. Dennis describes their first sighting like this, “As he trotted toward us, with mane and feathers flying, there was magic in the air. We assumed that this beautiful animal was a cross of some type. He had all of the qualities we admired in the Shire but was without the intimidation...and his coloring was black and white. This horse was so unique we wanted to learn more about his origins and were interested to see if he was for sale.”
The Thompsons formed the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society when they imported their first horses, with the purpose “to bring honor, recognition and a better understanding to one of the world’s most colorful and least understood societies and the horses they so dearly love.”
Thompson says, “The registry was established to protect a vision that was born over half a century ago to create the perfect horse to pull their colorful caravans. Our mission is to honor that vision by respecting the standards established from the spoken works of Gypsies who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of their dream.”
The Thompsons named their farm “Gypsy Gold Farm” after the saying the states, “Gypsy Gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.”
Currently, no crossbreeding is allowed, so Gypsy Vanners are all from known and documented lineage. Breeding is accomplished with embryo transplants from Gypsy Vanner mares to surrogate mares. This technique allows one mare to produce several foals in one year. It is reported that embryos reach prices of $15,000 to $20,000 each, while adult horses sell for about $35,000.
Anyone wishing more information may contact The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society at P.O. Box 771077, Ocala, FL 34477-1077.
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