Gypsy Horse Breed Information

Color: The Gypsy Vanner Horse is not a color breed it is a body type, therefore all colors, markings and patterns are acceptable. In honor of the British Gypsy heritage of the breed, the following names will be used to describe a Gypsy Vanner horses color.

A. Piebald: Black & White

B. Skewbald: Red & White, Brown & White, Tri-Color

C. Odd Coloured: Any other color

D. Blagdon: Solid color with white splashed up from underneath

Height: There are three height classifications, all having the same standards.

A. Mini Vanner: Under 14 hands.

B. Classic Vanner: 14 hands up to but not including 15.2 H

C. Grand Vanner: 15.2 H and up

Body: The Vanner has the look of a small to average size horse with a draft horse type body.

Back: Short coupled and in proportion to overall body

Withers: Well rounded, not high and fine

Chest: A deep, broad chest with well sprung ribs.

Shoulder: Sloping shoulder with well developed muscle

Hindquarters: Heavy, powerful hips with a well muscled rounded croup, tail not set to low. Slab sided or severely sloping hindquarters are considered a fault.

Neck: Strong and of ample length, stallions must display a bold look with a rainbow (well arched) crest.

Legs: Clean, heavy to medium heavy bone set on medium to large hoof .

Front: Set square, muscular with broad flat well developed knees.

Rear: Hocks that are broad and clean, a Vanner will have the modified closer hock set of a pulling horse, but not as close as the modern draft horse. Set back or sickle hocks are a fault.

Hoof : large round hoof , open at the heels with well developed frogs. Small contracted hooves are considered a fault

Leg movement: Clean, straight and true with energy and a distinctive and effortless trot

Hair: Ideal hair is straight and silky, with some wave, curl and body being acceptable, kinky hair is a fault.

Abundant feathering should begin at the knees on the front legs and at or near the hocks on the rear, extending over the front of the hooves.

Mane, forelock and tail should be ample to profusely abundant, double manes are common but not required

Head: A sweet head is a more refined head than a typical shire might have, set on a strong neck in harmony with the horses overall look.

Throat and jaw: Clean throat-latch and jaw.

Nose: Flat and tapered, a slightly roman nose is acceptable if it goes with the horses overall look. A heavy roman nose is not acceptable.

Eyes: Any color, wide set, bright, alert and kind.

Ears: In proportion to the head, not too large.

Nature: A Vanner should be alert and willing with traits of intelligence, kindness and docility, a Golden Retriever With Hooves®.

"7 Points of Conformation"

#1. Short back in proportion to overall body (short distance between last rib to point of hip).

#2. Broad chest.

#3. Heavy well-rounded hips (slab sided or severely sloping hindquarters are considered a fault.

#4. Heavy flat bone at the knee, ample hooves (small contracted hooves are considered a fault.

#5. Feathering that begins at the knees or near the hocks extending over the front of the hooves. Ample to abundant mane and tail.

#6. Sweet head (fine head on a strong neck in harmony with the horse's overall look).

#7. Disposition (the horse should exhibit traits of intelligence, kindness, and docility --- overly aggressive behavior is considered a fault).

For more information on the
" Gypsy Vanner Horse Society"
Click here

Tim & Jodi Knecht

Stoney Creek Farm

McKinney Road

Waymart  PA  18472

570-937-4954  

stnycrek@socantel.net