My new OBSESSION

Yes I am 12 and yes I still read Horse Illustrated. And every month I am mostly underwhelmed at the contents, tips and articles. However, I get the subscription through Maghound (ok people, if you havent signed up for this yet do it already it's so fun-tastic!)

This month the feature breed in Horse Illustrated was Gypsy Horses. In the season of Valentines Day I would like to declare my new found love with this breed. It has been officially added to my must own animal list (some people have a 'bucket list', I have a 'must own animal list'). This list has never actually been formally published before so here it goes:

The Babydoll Sheep

The French Bulldog

The Cockalier (cross between a king charles spaniel and a cocker spaniel)

The Silver Osicat (a domesticated version of the Ocelot, for now, I just have the ocelot patterned J. Crew Cardigan to tide me over)
And the latest addition: The Gypsy Vanner Horse
These horses were originally for pulling carts and wagons (Gypsy carts and wagons to be specific, hence the name). They were imported into the US by the Thompson Family who now breeds them in Ocala, FL. Apparently they can be used in all disciplines including dressage, driving, etc. Here is an excerpt about the breed from The Thompson's website...

"One of the most confusing messages about the Vanner breed on the Internet is the use of multiple names and the use of multiple names exists because of the Internet. Yes a breed is the same no matter what you call it but what you call it has great meaning or no meaning.

Before introducing the breed to this country, (after years of conferring with Gypsies), Tom's late wife Cindy came up with the name "Gypsy Vanner Horse". She found it in an old English book that referred to a horse pulling a caravan as "a Gypsy's vanner horse" (meaning "a horse suitable to pull a caravan). It is the name Gypsy Vanner Horse that is the first in the world to recognize the selectively bred horses raised by Gypsies as a breed and is the only name based on an extensive understanding of Gypsies and their selectively bred horses. The name is the only using an umbrella term for the people who created the breed (Gypsy) and a word that identifies their breed's vision, Vanner). The name was approved as the perfect name for his breed by Fred Walker, aka, "King of the coloured horses"

All other names (such as Cob, Tinker, Drum, American Gypsy) came after the name 'Gypsy Vanner Horse'. Individuals, with different visions, coined them all, and, unfortunately, some less-than-scrupulous horse traders still import the 'trade' animals rather than the 'breed'. Some of the other registries or clubs may have excellent specimens in their registries, but mandate that 'any horse raised by Gypsies is a breed' - and they will register it." Source:www.gypsygold.com)

The Thompson's website has lots of great videos of these gorgeous horses. Pros: gorgeous loud coloring and stout, strong conformation (great hind ends!)..oh and the FEATHERS! Cons: carraige horse movement, choppy, straight shoulders..ummm do they like to rear a lot because on the website there are LOTS of rearing shots out in the pastures.

They've got a cool canter and gallop, the trot is less appealing for english disciplines. Questions: Attitude? Temperment? Potential for crossing with a lighter breed to get a more modern sport horse?

Likey? No likey?

What breed of horse is on your "Dream Horse" list?