Breed Standards

The name Gypsy Vanner Horse® represents a definitive breed born from a vision to create a specific looking horse. The goal of that vision was achieved and the result is a breed capable of evoking great emotion. Short back, heavy hips, broad chest, heavy flat bone at the knee, feathering that starts at the knee and hock and covers the front of the hooves, a short strong neck and a sweet head. Established in 1996, The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society is the mother studbook for the breed and the first in the world. A perfect caravan horse is strong, intelligent, docile, athletic, colorful and has excellent endurance. It is our mission to show that these same traits would make the perfect horse for any number of pursuits. Gypsy Vanners will be evaluated on the following seven points of conformation.

1. Color:

The Gypsy Vanners is not a color breed it is a body type, therefore all colors, markings and patterns are acceptable. In honor of the British Gypsy heritage of the breed, the following names will be used to describe a Gypsy Vanners color.

A. Piebald: Black & White
B. Skewbald: Red & White, Brown & White, Tri-Color
C. Odd Coloured: Any other color
D. Blagdon: Solid color with white splashed up from underneath

2. Height:

There are three height classifications, all having the same standards.

A. Mini Vanner: Under 14 hands.
B. Classic Vanner 14 hands up to but not including 15.2 H.
C. Grand Vanner 15.2 H and up.

In 2006 the registry changed this classification; all horses registered are now just called Gypsy Vanners. There are no size classifications anymore.

3. Body:

The Gypsy Vanners have the look of a small to average size horse with a draft horse type body.

A. Back: Short coupled and in proportion to overall body
B. Withers: Well rounded, not high and fine
C. Chest: A deep, broad chest with well sprung ribs.
D. Shoulder: Sloping shoulder with well developed muscle
E. Hindquarters: Heavy, powerful hips with a well muscled rounded croup, tail not set to low. Slab sided or severely sloping hindquarters are considered a fault.
F. Neck: Strong and of ample length, stallions must display a bold look with a rainbow (well arched) crest.

4. Legs:

Clean, heavy to medium heavy bone set on medium to large hoof .

A. Front: Set square, muscular with broad flat well developed knees.
B. Rear: Hocks that are broad and clean, a Vanner will have the modified closer hock set of a pulling horse, but not as close as the modern draft horse. Set back or sickle hocks are a fault.
C. Hoof : large round hoof , open at the heels with well developed frogs. Small contracted hooves are considered a fault
D. Leg movement: Clean, straight and true with energy and a distinctive and effortless trot.

5. Hair:

Ideal hair is straight and silky, with some wave, curl and body being acceptable, kinky hair is a fault.

A. Abundant feathering should begin at the knees on the front legs and at or near the hocks on the rear, extending over the front of the hooves.
B. Mane, forelock and tail should be ample to profusely abundant, double manes are common but not required.

6. Head:

A sweet head is a more refined head than a typical shire might have, set on a strong neck in harmony with the horses overall look.

A. Throat and jaw: Clean throat-latch and jaw.
B. Nose: Flat and tapered, a slightly roman nose is acceptable if it goes with the horses overall look. A heavy roman nose is not acceptable.
C. Eyes: Any color, wide set, bright, alert and kind.
D. Ears: In proportion to the head, not too large.

7. Nature:

A Vanner should be alert and willing with traits of intelligence, kindness and docility, a Golden Retriever With Hooves®

Remember that when you are looking to find a Gypsy Vanner for sale, you will always want to ensure they are registered and full bred. By nature they are very athletic horses; gypsy vanners are docile, strong and intelligent. They prefer living in a no threatening environment.

The History of Appleby Fair

The history of the gypsy horse is embodied in Appleby Horse Fair, the largest traditional horse fair of its kind in the world. Set up by charter under the reign of James II in 1685, it has been an annual event since that time. Originally a venue for the trading of all types of livestock and general merchandise, its popularity with the vast numbers of gypsies who would come each year eventually led to the occasion being known as a special horse fair. Today, Appleby Fair is the venue of one the largest remaining gatherings of Romany and gypsy people.  The event is held during the second week of June, beginning on the Wednesday of that week with the main horse sale on the Tuesday of the following week. Harness races and celebrations lead up to this sale day and horses are seen trotting up and down the lanes in order to show them off prior to the sales. The field, which is the main site for the participants, is found on the outskirts of Appleby. It was originally known as Gallows Hill, due to the nature of its usage in earlier times. However, it is now called Fair Hill and looks West over the town of Appleby and East toward the Pennines.  Gypsy families travel to Appleby to meet up with old friends and conduct business.  Appleby survived an attempt at closure by the Westmorland Borough Council in 1965.

During the two weeks of the Fair, horses may be found everywhere...in the river, on its banks, along the green, on roadsides and lanes, or even tethered outside hotels, shops and public houses (the local taverns). The ownership of a horse can, by wheeling and dealing, change several times throughout the course of the Fair and sales are usually clinched with a slap on the hand, after a one-to-one bartering rather than a traditional type of auction. 

Appleby is famed around the world for its ancient Horse Fair and for the throng of colorful characters who gather on Gallows Hill (Fair Hill) every June. The date used to be fixed by the date of the Derby at Epsom; Fair Hill week began on the Sunday following the mid-week Classic race which is held in the first week of June. This Sunday is known as Visitors' Day, when people can walk between the rows of caravans, watch the horses being washed in the River Eden or "flashed" up and down the road, have their fortunes told, or buy cheap goods from the many side stalls.