The primary breeds that went into creating the Gypsy Vanner Horse are the Shire, Clydesdale, Dales Pony and through genetic association, the Friesian (which was involved in the development of the other three). In 1995, a very high percentage of the horses raised by British Gypsies were not a breed but a type with unknown heritage. Until 1996, the word Vanner meant “a horse suitable to pull a caravan” in the English Chambers Dictionary. Vanners pulled all freight in Great Britain before there was combustable engines, they were the semi trucks.

Before World War II horses that pulled British Gypsy carts and caravans were not a breed, only after World War II a vision was born to create the horse now recognized as the Gypsy Vanner Horse or Vanner.

With an outstanding disposition, Vanner is known for his kind and generous personality. Easily trained and capable of most any discipline, the breed is used for both driving and riding.

Colors include: Piebald (black and white), Skewbald (brown and white), Blagdon (a solid color with a splash on the belly or more profound splashes of white), Odd Colored (described as any other color and white). But the Vanner is not a color breed—it is a body type.

Different breed societies have variations in their breed standards. The range of heights is from 13 to 16 hands (52 to 64 inches, 132 to 163 cm) in the United States and Australasia, but in Ireland and continental Europe, the limit goes up to 16.2 hands (66 inches, 168 cm).

More Info: gypsygold.com