Gypsy Waggons on their way to Appleby Fair. R. Glover
Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, Inc.
1812 E. 100 N.
Danville, Indiana 46122
www.gcdha.com
Gypsy Cobs are easily recognized as sturdy little horses with an amazing amount of hair. Thick manes that fall below the shoulder and tails that drag on the ground are typical, with the crowning glory being an abundant silky leg feathering. The Gypsy Cob is also well known for its strength, tractability, and feed efficiency. Its designer looks are achieved through the perfect union of heavy, flat bone, a powerful body, intelligence, a docile nature, and the ever-flowing mane, tail, and feathering.
Gypsy horses were developed by the Romany people, or Gypsies, of Great Britain and Ireland. They were used to pull the colorful wagons known as the family vardo, or caravan. Gypsies have had horses for as long as their culture has been in existence, but the horse recognized today as the Gypsy Cob has only emerged within the past century. As it was originally a harness horse, it has always excelled at driving, but is now found in nearly all riding disciplines.
Foundation
Gypsy horses were used for nearly every aspect of Gypies’ traveling nomadic culture, from pulling the colorful wagons that were the Gypsies’ homes, to pulling the smaller wagons used for work. Horses have always been the Gypsies’ means of travel and employment, as well as their greatest source of pride. They are held near and dear to the Gypsies’ heart and heritage. As one Gypsy remarked, “It is the horse born from the dream inside my head.”
Coming from a culture that traditionally did not have written records, the best bloodlines were kept and recorded only by memory. Generations of breeding were handed down from father to son without the means of documentation. Horses with names like the Lob Eared Horse, the Kent Horse, and the Roadsweeper were considered greats of the breed.
The Romany people took great pride in the horses they bred and used. Since the horses traveled many roads and were often cared for by children, it was essential that they were both strong and kind with a willing disposition. They also had to be sound with a hardy nature and easy to keep, as there were no special provisions made for food or shelter. They lived on the vacant land and grass strips found alongside the road.
Although today many Romany people have settled into more modern housing, the horse-drawn vardo can still be found here and there on the roads. With less need for the larger, draft type horse, however, Gypsies now prefer a smaller cob or pony type with an active and speedy trot. As these horses are not used for working anymore, Gypsies love to “flash” them in front of onlookers.
The literal definition of a cob is a short, heavy or thickset horse. Nearly all cob breeders would probably describe it as a large pony or small horse that exhibits heavy bone, thick body, and some specific characteristics, such as head type, that could be found in either a pony or horse. Gypsies deliberately bred the cob type body because of its sturdy structure, small but heavy and powerful size, and dense bone. Although there is a broad spectrum in size, the average Gypsy Cob stands between 14 and 15 hands. Regardless of height, it displays the perfect cob type of a strong body, set legs on flat, dense bone, abundant hair, and a kind, intelligent expression.
There are other types of horses bred by Gypsies, and these larger cob and horse types are still used as wagon horses and as great all-around horses by non-Gypsy families. However, it is the Gypsy Cob that has received worldwide acclaim and recognition. It is considered the breed to have due to its striking looks and calm presence.
Gypsy Cobs come in nearly all colors, and most have pinto markings. Some Europeans are even breeding for the appaloosa spots and/or “pintaloosa” markings in their cobs. It is said that Gypsies started breeding for loud colored horses during World War I and World War II so the army would not confiscate them. While documentation that substantiates this is not readily available, it is believed to be true among the Gypsies
Registry
For many years, the Gypsy Cob suffered from a certain lack of appreciation within the mainstream equestrian society. Recently, however, Gypsy Cobs have developed an enthusiastic following throughout Europe and North America and can even be found in Australia. The beauty of these horses is surpassed only by their gentle and intelligent nature, making them now highly sought after outside the Romany culture. Beyond their natural role as a harness horse, many are used as safe and sane mounts for novice riders, and most riding schools and trekking centers also like to use these kind and willing partners.
With the widespread popularity of the breed crossing not only international borders, but also cultural boundaries, it became imperative that proper parentage verification be administered and documented. Of the utmost importance was the development of a genetic database. The U.S. importation of Gypsy Cobs and the breeding of Drum Horses also spurred a need for a registry. Thus the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association (GCDHA), Inc., was founded in 2002 in the United States.
A DNA database was the first priority of the membership and was quickly instituted with the help of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Gus Cothran. DNA testing was established to form a modern database.
The association also established the definition of a Gypsy Cob in relation to many other names that have been used to describe it. There was confusion about whether it was a light horse breed or a draft horse, although most Gypsy Cob enthusiasts agreed it was a draft horse disguised as a heavy light breed. Yet the breeders of draft horses were slow in recognizing it as a draft, and light horse breeders considered it to be a draft. The GCDHA corrected the misconceptions by providing boundaries and breed distinctions drawing upon the already established Gypsy lines. Through these efforts, the breed’s colorful history and bright future are preserved as the wonderful breed that it is.
Standards
For registration, all stallions and mares must be DNA tested. Geldings of known parentage are also required to submit DNA results, while those geldings claiming unknown parentage are exempted. Owners of Gypsy Cobs must provide a veterinarian height certification between the ages of three and five years, and Gypsy Cobs must meet the standard for registration.
General appearance: The overall appearance of a Gypsy Cob should give the impression of intelligence, kindness, strength, soundness, and agility. It should be of good bone, either medium or heavy weight, and be well muscled with a sturdy body, kind expression, and abundant hair.
Size: The Gypsy Cob can be any size and may be of the pony, cob, or horse variety.
Head: The head should be in proportion to the body, neither too large nor too small, with broad forehead, generous jaw, square muzzle, and even bite. The ears should be neat and well set on. The eyes should be large and set well apart with an intelligent, kind expression.
Neck: The neck should be slightly arched, well muscled, clean through the throat, not too short, and tie in well at the shoulder and withers.
Chest: The chest should be broad with ample muscle. The muscle along the bottom of the chest should appear in an inverted “V” shape as it ties into the forearm.
Shoulders: The shoulders should be deep, powerful, and well sloped.
Withers: Withers should be average in height, not too high, with a good cover of muscle.
Back: The back should be short and well muscled, and should tie in strongly at the loin.
Barrel: The barrel should be deep, with well sprung ribs and a solid covering of muscle. The flank should be as deep as the girth.
Legs: The legs should be set well under the body, straight, clean, and have plenty of dense, flat bone. Forearms and gaskins should be well muscled, and knees and hocks set close to the ground. Feet should be substantial with a generous, open heel.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters should be smooth and rounded across the croup, with a long hip, a wide pelvis, and well muscled buttocks and thighs.
Hair: Mane and tail should be long and thick. Abundant feathering starts at the knees and hocks, preferably with hair running down the front of the leg, as well as the back. Feathers may be straight or curling and should cover the hoof.
Color: The Gypsy Cob may be any color and can include either solid or spotted (pinto or appaloosa).
Disposition: The Gypsy Cob should be, above all else, a kind and willing partner. It should display an intelligent character and docile temperament.
Inspections
All breeding stallions must be inspected and licensed for breeding. Inspections for licensing of stallions are the same for both the Drum Horse and Gypsy Cob.
Inspections consist of two divisions: one for horses two years of age and older (Status Testing and Stallion Approval), and one for horses under two years of age (Premium Grading). Stallion licenses are not issued to any horse less than two years of age. Height measurements are taken on all mature horses.
This Gypsy Cob has an abundant mane and square muzzle. R. Glover
Stallions seeking breeding licenses must undergo a vet exam. The exam includes (as a minimum) an inspection to determine that both testicles are fully descended with no obvious abnormalities, a soundness test (including heart, lungs, and flexion test), and inspection of the mouth/bite and eyes. This exam is to be done prior to the inspection.
Licensing approval for two-year-old stallions is only a provisional license, and those stallions must be re-inspected by the end of their fourth year before being issued permanent approval. Stallions passing their inspection at three years of age or older are given permanent approval. Licensed stallions that have been proven to consistently produce poor quality offspring, or offspring with genetic abnormalities, may have their licenses suspended and/or revoked. Stallions not scoring well can be brought back the following year for re-evaluation. Only one passed inspection is necessary for licensing.
Status levels and stallion licensing: All horses applying for licensing are shown in-hand and are judged on movement, as well as quiet demeanor, while being examined. Inspectors touch the legs, check the bite, and perform other inspections.
Level I: Inspection criteria include breed characteristics, conformation, movement, soundness, and temperament. Level I is the minimum requirement for stallions seeking licensing approval. All horses passing the Level I testing are designated as an Approved horse. Horses passing the test with a high enough score are designated as Star status.
Level II: All Level II inspections require the horse to be presented working, either by driving or under saddle, and should be quiet and safe. A simple pattern may be requested, but shall not include lead changes or hand gallops. Scoring includes marks from the Level I inspection, plus additional marks on brilliance of working movement, safety, soundness, willingness, and work ethic.
Horses passing both Level I and II testing are designated as Model horse. Those horses designated as Star from the Level I test that also pass Level II with a high enough score are designated as Preferred Model.
Level III: This highest level of inspection is geared toward breeding mares and stallions and requires them to first be presented in Levels I and II. Level III is based on the horses’ previous Level I and II scores, plus on the scores of a minimum number of registered offspring, which includes Drum Horses and Gypsy Cobs, but no part-breds.
Horses passing Levels I, II, and III are designated as Elite. Horses previously designated as Preferred Model that pass Level III testing with a high enough score are designated as Elite Gold.
Since geldings cannot be judged on offspring, to attain Elite status they must be judged in both ridden and driven disciplines.
Credit: Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, Inc.