Gypsy Vanner Horse

Gypsy Vanner Horse is a horse breed developed by Romani Traveller communities in Britain and Ireland, chiefly over the twentieth century, bred to pull the ornate horse drawn caravans, called vardos, that Traveller families lived and traveled in, and known in Britain and Ireland by other names including the Gypsy Cob and Irish Cob. It is a compact, heavily built draft type horse, typically piebald or skewbald in coloring with abundant feathering of long hair on the lower legs, bred for strength, calm temperament and a docile, trustworthy manner suited to pulling a caravan through public roads and being handled by families including children. The name Gypsy Vanner was coined in the United States in the 1990s by American importers establishing a breed registry there, and it has since become the most widely used name for the breed outside Britain and Ireland, though the breed's Traveller originators more commonly use the older names. The breed has grown substantially in international popularity since its introduction to North America, valued for its striking appearance, gentle temperament and suitability for both driving and riding.