Gypsy Vanner horse

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Image:Tinker Stute mit Hengstfohlen.jpg

Gypsy Vanner Horse is a breed with its origin among the Irish Travellers, or gypsies, of the British Isles. These horses are called Irish Tinker Horse (Germany and Netherlands), and also known as Irish Cob, Piebald (Ireland), or Gypsy Vanner (USA). "Tinker" is considered a slur by Travellers, and so the term is not used by English-speakers to describe the horse. Bred for strength and docility, the breed is a mix of draught horse and pony breeds giving quite a large variation in size and appearance. The typical horse measures 12.0 - 15.3 hands and the larger variation—the Drum Horse—reaches 16.0 hands and over. The Gypsy Vanner Horse was only recently registered as a distinct breed. Until 1996, it was considered a type rather than a breed.

The idea of the gypsy vanner being "bred for centuries" to this end result is false. For as long as Gypsies have been around they have bred whatever type of horse that they can access and is suitable from huge cobs to moorland ponies. The same is true today.

The very use of the term "vanner" is testament to that, a proper "vanner" type is a heavy carriage/cart horse lighter than a cob or heavy horse but heavy enough to pull relatively large loads.

To be legitimately called a drum horse the horse must have served as a drum horse with the cavalry - true of only a very small handful of horses. These horses often have cob and/or shire ancestory and may or may not be coloured.

[edit] Characteristics

There is no single type of colors for Vanners, though the most common are piebald, skewbald, and pinto. The typical "Gypsy Vanner" or "Drummer" horses are known for their abundance of hair and feathering (hair starting at the canon bone and the hock and flowing down over the hooves).

Their build is powerful and compact, with a short neck and back. The chest is broad, the hips are heavy, and the withers are round.

They are also well known for a docile temperment, suitable for a horse pulling a caravan and frequently around small children. Because of this, they make good riding and show horses.