Gypsy Horse

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: July 22nd, 2016

About Gypsy Horse

Weight

1,400 lb

Physique

Muscular, compact body

Lifespan

25 years

Best Suited For

All levels of horse riders, trainers, and owners, including beginners and children

Temperament

Docile, gentle, kind, quiet, patient, willing, learns quickly, intelligent

Comparable Breeds

Clydesdale Horse, Dales Pony

Height

Gypsy Horse Breed History

The Gypsy Horse is registered as the Gypsy Vanner Horse, as well as the Gypsy Cob Horse and Gypsy Drum Horse. The breed originated in Great Britain, where it has been popular amongst the Romany Gypsies. It is a horse that can easily pull gypsy caravans, and this colorful equine breed can still be seen today as horses move alongside their owners while traveling to annual gathering locations.

Over the past 50 years, a greater number of horses have been bred selectively so that they will exhibit the characteristics of the ideal caravan horse. Also, when it comes to genetic makeup, the Gypsy Horse breed likely is the result of a combination of Clydesdale, Friesian, British ponies like the Dales Pony, and the Shire Horse.

Gypsy horses are docile, gentle, quiet, and patient.

Although originally from Great Britain, today the Gypsy Horse is also being imported, as well as bred, throughout Canada and the United States. In North America, the horses have become desirable show horses, carriage horses, and trail horses, but in the United Kingdom, they are well known for being reliable driving horses.

Breed Traits

Because Gypsy Horses are bred to pull caravans, as well as carry gypsy children on their backs, they are docile, gentle, quiet, and patient. These characteristics make this equine breed an ideal choice for horse riders and owners of all experience levels. Even beginners will feel comfortable around this breed, and children will be able to ride Gypsy horses confidently as well.

The athletic Gypsy Horse will also learn quickly, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an equine companion that will be easy to work with. These animals are willing to be trained and are ready to please, as well as highly intelligent, so they are a pleasure to be around.

The Gypsy Horse comes in a variety of colors, and some can even have uniquely beautiful blue eyes.

Overall Description

The Gypsy Horse has several distinguishing characteristics, including legs that are abundantly feathered and a thick tail and mane. The feathering will begin around the knees on the front legs, as well as around the hocks on the rear legs, and it will extend over the front of the horse’s hooves.

These horses are small yet strong draft type animals that feature hindquarters that are heavily muscled. They also have large hooves, along with a short back that is proportionate to the rest of the body. The chest is broad, the hips are well rounded and heavy, and the neck is strong.

Also, although the average height for this horse ranges from 14 to 15.2 hands, you can find the Gypsy Horse in all heights. For example, you can find horses that are under 14 hands (those are referred to as Mini Vanners), as well as horses that are over 15.2 hands (those are known as Grand Vanners).

The athletic Gypsy Horse will learn quickly and is eager to please.

Colors

The Gypsy Horse comes in a variety of colors, and some can even have uniquely beautiful blue eyes.

Common colors include black, white, buckskin, bay, and chestnut, but these horses can also be gray and flaxen chestnut.

Dilutions that are commonly seen within the Gypsy Horse breed include silver dapple, perlino, palomino, cremello, and smoky black. Skewbalds and piebalds are also popular colors for this breed.

The Gypsy Horse can also display various color patterns, such as tobiano, sabino/blagdon, splash, spotted, bay roan, strawberry roan, blue roan, badger face, and Gulastra Plume.

Grooming Requirements

The Gypsy Horse’s hair should ideally be silky and straight. In order to maintain its beautiful appearance, as well as the health of this horse’s skin and coat, regular grooming sessions that include brushing and bathing are necessary.

Because dirt and mud tend to cause the Gypsy Horse’s hair to become dry, it is a good idea to begin every grooming session by using a rubber curry comb. This will bring dander and dirt to the coat’s surface so it will be easier to remove when you go over it with a body brush. This step also stimulates circulation and encourages the production of natural oils that allow the skin to be healthy, shiny, and lovely.

To comb this horse’s abundant tail and mane, begin at the ends and then work your way up slowly and thoroughly. When you encounter hairs that have become tangled, use a detangler and gently remove the knot with your fingers before running a comb through again. Be sure to use grooming tools that are specifically designed for use on the tail and mane.

Bear in mind, too, that feathered equine breeds like the Gypsy Horse are prone to dermatitis and scratches underneath the feathering on the legs. Therefore, extra care needs to be taken to ensure the feathering is thoroughly examined, washed, dried, and brushed.

Photo credit: Kent Weakley/Bigstock; khwanchai.s/Bigstock; CampCrazy Photography/Bigstock

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Naming a new puppy that’s come into the world or thinking of a name to symbolize a new beginning for a rescue dog is a precious moment – but sometimes you need a bit of inspiration to think of a fitting name for your fur baby. Some people prefer names with personal meaning or symbolism, but most just sift through name lists in hopes of finding one that fits our pooch and sounds nice. Well, this list can help you find the most popular names for dogs these days and see if any of them stick!  Sniffspot, the so-called “AirBnB of dog parks”, went through their massive database of 100,000 dog names and through hard work determined the 10 most common boy and girl dog names. The results are very interesting – take a look!Here are the top 10 male dog names:10. Leo:A very unique name that’s quick on the tongue, and very fitting for large and majestic doggos. A lion always comes to mind.9. Ollie:Believe it or not, Ollie is a gender-neutral name, but fits perfectly with energetic and goofy male puppers.8. Moose:Who would think that Moose is such a common dog name? It is fun, that is for sure, and strangely fitting too.7. Zeus:The mighty God of thunder in Ancient Greece has come a long way over the centuries. Nowadays, his name is given to dogs!6. Oliver:A classic, elegant, and fun name that, although used for humans, fits doggos as well. 5. Finn:An old-timey name that belongs on the pages of some good youth novel, Finn is remarkably fitting for puppers.4. Loki:The trickster god of the Old Norse has found his way into the modern age in a rather odd way. Lately, Norse gods are a popular choice for dog names.3. Bear:How adorable would it be to name your tiny little pup Bear? 2. Cooper:A simple but very fun name that works well for male pets of all characters and sizes.1. Milo:A very ancient-sounding name, Milo is the number one choice of many owners. Are you surprised that this is number 1? Well, you saw the most common names for boy dogs, so now it’s the girls’ turn. Let’s see their list!10. Sadie:This adorable female dog name, it brings to mind the summer, flowers, and all things girly.9. Nova:In stark contrast to Sadie, Nova sounds quite futuristic, and strong, and rolls easily off the tongue. Did you know that a Nova is an astronomical term? It is the name given to bright stars that appear suddenly in the sky and release powerful energy. Wonderful symbolism.8. Willow:Back to vintage and cozy-sounding names with Willow, a true classic that belongs to the pages of an old children’s book.7. Nala:Here’s a name that is quite a surprise. It is unique, modern, and not heard that often. But, according to this survey, it belongs with other most common female dog names!6. Stella:A name of Latin origin, it translates to “star”. And what better name to give to your zoomy, fun, and lovely female pup?5. Bailey:This is another fun and homely name that is often given to pets. Any similarity with a favorite drink is pure coincidence!4. Lucy:If you have a kind, loveable, and gentle female doggo, then you cannot go wrong with a name such as Lucy!3. Daisy:This is one of the most popular names given to animals, especially cows. But surprisingly, it works well for dogs too!2. Bella:A classic feminine name, Bella is ideal for all female puppers, no matter their character.1. Luna:And the number one female dog's name is Luna, which is Latin for “Moon”. It is simple and pretty, which makes it an easy choice for many owners!So, were you surprised by this survey? What is your favorite dog name? Let us know!

FDA Approves New Treatment for Anxiety and Fear in Cats

It’s no secret that most cats get really stressed out when they have to leave the house, especially for a trip to the veterinarian. And the anxiety and fear that your pet experiences can certainly affect you as a pet parent as well, making you feel awful about having to put your cat through such a scary experience.The good news is there are things you can try to help reduce the stress your kitty feels, and one of the latest solutions is a new treatment recently approved by the FDA.Bonqat for CatsIn November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pregabalin, also known as Bonqat, for cats.The oral solution is not a sedative; instead, it affects the neurotransmitters that are involved in acute anxiety and fear. Therefore, it can be used to reduce the stress experienced by cats who are being transported for any reason, and it can be helpful for those who get frightened when they go to the vet.To determine if this medicine would be effective, cats were given either a placebo or Bonqat before being transported by car and examined by a veterinarian (the cats had a history of being fearful and/or anxious under those circumstances). The results? While roughly one-third of the kitties who got the placebo had a positive response, just over half of those given the medicine did better while being transported and examined. Also, over the course of two examinations, 77% of the kitties who took Bonqat had less fear and anxiety, while 46% of those given the placebo exhibited an improvement in their fear and anxiety levels.Discuss Bonqat with Your VeterinarianYou can only get Bonqat with a prescription from your veterinarian, so discuss its pros and cons to determine if this medicine would be right for your cat based on factors like age and medical conditions. And bear in mind that side effects, such as ataxia, vomiting, and lethargy, might occur with Bonqat.To reap the benefits of Bonqat, you simply give it to your cat about 1.5 hours prior to transporting them or taking them to the vet. This medicine is a liquid, and it can be given to your pet with a bit of food.Also, there are some precautions that need to be taken while administering this medicine to your cat. For example, it shouldn’t make contact with your eyes, mucous membranes, or skin. So, in addition to talking to your vet about how to use it correctly to ensure your cat gets the best results, you also want to be well-informed about how to handle this medicine safely.For more information about Bonqat and how it works, click here.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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