Divine Equines: Gypsy Vanner Horses

Also known as: Gypsy Cob, Irish Tinker Pony, Romany Cob, Irish Cob.

Origin: Ireland, England and Wales.

Height Range: 12.2hh-17hh, average is about 14.2hh.

Colour: All colours accepted, but are mainly piebald or skewbald.

Temperament: Docile, intelligent, strong, gentle, with excellent stamina.

The Gypsy Vanner Horse was bred by the gypsies primarily to pull their caravans known as 'vardo'. However, the horses were not recognised as an official breed until 1996. The gypsy vanner horses look like small shire horses with long, cascading manes, tails and feathers with short backs, strong shoulders and rounded withers.The breed contains blood from shires, clydesdales, friesians as well as dales and fell ponies. Most of these horses are found in Ireland and England, but they can now be found in other countries such as Australia, Canada, the U.S.A., Mexico, Germany, France and the Netherlands. They are not only used for driving in these countries, but are also used for dressage, pleasure riding, low jumping, children's mounts and even Western riding!