The Gypsy Vanner Horse is a beautiful and rare new breed of horse envisioned by the European Gypsies.  These horses have been selectively bred over the past 50 years to create a kind of small Shire that was colorful enough to match their caravans.

These horses, bred by the Gypsies, are easily recognizable by their long, flowing manes and tails, and the profusion of feathers on their legs.  These make them look as if they fly when they run.

The Gypsy Vanner Horse is a new breed to the United States.  The registry was created in 1996 by Dennis and Cindy Thompson, and the first two Gypsy Vanners, two fillies named Bat and Dolly, arrived in November of that year, to be followed shortly by 14 others.  

Dennis and Cindy's mission behind the registry is “to bring honor, recognition and a better understanding to one of the world's most colorful and least understood societies and the horses they so dearly love.”

There are now just over 1000 Gypsy Vanner in the US as of March 2008.  The breed is proving itself in many disciplines - driving, dressage, western, English, trail riding, and the occasional horse is even showing how versatile the breed is with cattle and the jumping ring!