Definitions of Gypsy Horse Types

Classifications of Traditional Gypsy-Type Horses

Pony: Relatively heavy boned and usually feathered horse standing 12.2 to 14 hh. They are usually “pinto” colored, piebald or skewbald. They usually display the characteristics of their draft horse origin.

Cob/Vanner: Heavy boned and usually feathered horse standing 15.2hh and over, usually not over about 16.2hh. They are often “pinto” colored, piebald or skewbald. They usually display the characteristics of their draft horse origin, and are very much like a small shire horse.  

Variation on Vanner: Many Europeans refer to vanners as the lighter boned and feathered, (”non-traditional”) horses that are used for riding. American Variation on “Vanner”: Many Americans call all gypsy cobs “Vanners”. It is somewhat of a generic term, but it refers to gypsy cobs in general.

Drum Horse: A type of heavy horse bred by the British Cavalry that is often heavy boned and feathered, standing 16.0hh and over. They are usually “pinto” colored, piebald or skewbald. They usually display the characteristics of their draft horse origin, and are most commonly a cross of gypsy horse blood with Shire or Clydesdale horse blood. The large and heavily feathered ones are very rare and highly prized.