During the late 19th and 20th centuries, coloured horses and ponies were definately 'out of fashion' and it is to the Gypsys we owe their continued existence. They valued their Piebalds and Skewbalds and continued to breed for the traits that we all appreciate today. It was thought that they probably descended from Welsh Cobs because they have similar characteristics
Gypsy Cobs were a part of the family and were handled as much by the children as by the adults, so they had to have excellent temperments and be well behaved in traffic. They needed to be hardy, as their grazing was mostly on road side verges, and to have good hard feet capable of covering long distances on the roads.
A good example of this reliability is in ex gypsy mare who began her career as a milk float horse at 2 years old and continued in daily service for 26 years without a day off. After her retirement the mileometer on the van that had replaced her showed she had coverd 75 miles a day!!!!! She then went on to have 7 foals having started her breeding career at 28 years old.
Gypsies have very definate standards for their Cobs and their ideal is as follows:
Height between 13.hh and 15hh but 14hh is the prefered height.
The distribution of the colour is particullarly important, there should be plenty of it and the markings should be as similar as possible on each side.. There should be a sharp distinction between the coloured patches and the white, roaning between patches is frowned upon.
The manes should be long and thick and if the mane contains coloured and white hair a nice sharp dividing line between them is much prized.
They should have a compact powerful shape with plenty of bone. The hocks should be straight and the knees large and pear shaped.
The feet should be large and dense. The feather must be long, thick and silky, also extra hair growing from the front of the foot as well as on the hock is a good point.
Today, even though most caravans are pulled by lorries, the Cobs are still important to the Gypsys and can be worth thousands of pounds.
Some of the best examples can be seen at fairs such as Appleby but dont go there unless you can resist temptation!!!!!
Dont forget many good examples of Gypsy Cob can be found in Ireland. These cobs are also prized often living in inner cities with there owners. It has been known for many a Gypsy Cob to have been kept in high rise blocks of flats being transported up and down in the communial lifts!!!!!
Temperment such as that has been bred for hundreds of years and cannot be beaten.
If you would like a gypsy cob or want to know more about these wonderfull creatures please feel free to email me. The link is on my home page.
