Gypsy Horses A Hot Commodity

2007 - Volume #31, Issue #1, Page #09

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The centuries old Gypsy Horse breed has silky feathered legs, long flowing manes, and often bold color patterns. The horses are built like small draft horses and bred to be graceful, with an extremely gentle and willing temperament.
    According to breeder Kim Swaisgood of Evenstar Farms at Conesus, N.Y., Gypsy Horses originated in Ireland and Great Britain, and descended from English Shires, Clydesdales, Irish Draughts, Dales Ponies and Fell Ponies, They range in size from 12H to over 16H, and come in a variety of colors. In the U.S., however, they are more commonly black and white with a tobiano pattern, or solid black.
    They're also called Irish Tinkers, Gypsy Vanners, Gypsy Cobs, Irish Cobs, Romany Cobs, Drums, and Travelers' Horses, just to name a few.
    The breed's history is colorful, as it was developed by travelers (gypsies) who needed hardy, athletic, and reliable horses to pull the caravan homes used in their nomadic lifestyle. Gypsy Horses also had to be patient and gentle with children, as they often kept the family's youngsters amused.
    Swaisgood says today's Gypsy Horses are ideal for many purposes:
    "Whether you're looking for a child's horse, a trail buddy, a beautiful dressage horse or an athletic jumper, this is the horse of your dreams," she says. "For our own needs, we found that it's perfect for the medieval gaming competitions we're involved in, and for our medieval education program. We had researched several breeds, and although each breed had traits that would fill our "horse order," none of them seemed to have everything we wanted. This breed has beauty, brains, build, stamina, ability, a willing temperament and is great with children."
    People began importing Gypsy Horses into the U.S in recent years, and in 2003, the Gypsy Cob Society of America, Inc., was founded. Other American groups dedicated to this breed include the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, and the American Drum Horse Association.
    In all, Swaisgood estimates there are probably about 800 registered Gypsy horses in the U.S. today. The majority of these horses were imported from overseas and it's only in the last couple of years that foals have been produced here for sale.
    Breeding quality fillies or colts sell for $10,000 to $15,000, mares for $18,000 to $20,000, and proven breeding stallions for $30,000 to $40,000. These prices are for animals with little to no training.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kim and Bob Swaisgood, Evenstar Farm, 6156 McGinty Rd., Conesus, N.Y. 14435 (ph 585 346-6105, 585 943-0960 (cell); kbswaiz@aol.com; http://www. even starfarm.com).

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Gypsy Horses A Hot Commodity LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules The centuries old Gypsy Horse breed has silky feathered legs long flowing manes and often bold color patterns The horses are built like small draft horses and bred to be graceful with an extremely gentle and willing temperament According to breeder Kim Swaisgood of Evenstar Farms at Conesus N Y Gypsy Horses originated in Ireland and Great Britain and descended from English Shires Clydesdales Irish Draughts Dales Ponies and Fell Ponies They range in size from 12H to over 16H and come in a variety of colors In the U S however they are more commonly black and white with a tobiano pattern or solid black They re also called Irish Tinkers Gypsy Vanners Gypsy Cobs Irish Cobs Romany Cobs Drums and Travelers Horses just to name a few The breed s history is colorful as it was developed by travelers gypsies who needed hardy athletic and reliable horses to pull the caravan homes used in their nomadic lifestyle Gypsy Horses also had to be patient and gentle with children as they often kept the family s youngsters amused Swaisgood says today s Gypsy Horses are ideal for many purposes: Whether you re looking for a child s horse a trail buddy a beautiful dressage horse or an athletic jumper this is the horse of your dreams she says For our own needs we found that it s perfect for the medieval gaming competitions we re involved in and for our medieval education program We had researched several breeds and although each breed had traits that would fill our horse order none of them seemed to have everything we wanted This breed has beauty brains build stamina ability a willing temperament and is great with children People began importing Gypsy Horses into the U S in recent years and in 2003 the Gypsy Cob Society of America Inc was founded Other American groups dedicated to this breed include the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and the American Drum Horse Association In all Swaisgood estimates there are probably about 800 registered Gypsy horses in the U S today The majority of these horses were imported from overseas and it s only in the last couple of years that foals have been produced here for sale Breeding quality fillies or colts sell for $10 000 to $15 000 mares for $18 000 to $20 000 and proven breeding stallions for $30 000 to $40 000 These prices are for animals with little to no training Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Kim and Bob Swaisgood Evenstar Farm 6156 McGinty Rd Conesus N Y 14435 ph 585 346-6105 585 943-0960 cell ; kbswaiz@aol com; http://www even starfarm com

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