Gypsy Horses Purchasing Guidelines
Gypsy horses include many things you should consider when purchasing. Cost, purpose of the horse, breeding, pedigree, training required, vet checks, and shipping or transport are just a few of the items you will need to take into consideration before purchasing your new horse.
Within the Gypsy horse community, there are different breeding methods you should be aware of before purchasing a Gypsy horse. You will need to understand these different breeds and know which kind of Gypsy horse you are looking for when searching for a horse to purchase. Some Gypsy horses are pony-bred. This means the mare has been bred with a pony, which is defined as a small horse standing 14.2 hands or less. Others are bred with draft horses or heavy-breed horses.
Gypsy horses sometimes have mixed breeding. A "cob" is a type of horse rather than a breed. For example, some breeders influence the breeding by mixing other breeds such as a Clydesdale or a trotter. Clydesdale may give the horse a draftier appearance, while trotter may give it endurance or knee action. Since the Gypsy horses were originally a mongrel breed, only the Gypsy breeder knows the ingredients. Once a horse is bred to itself and reproduces itself consistently, it is considered a breed.
Thus, the modern Gypsy horse is the result of selective breeding. The best of the Gypsy horses have been bred Gypsy-to-Gypsy for generations, creating a Gypsy cob-style horse. Regardless of lineage, the quality of the horse should speak for itself. A good Gypsy horse gets its looks from generations of good breeding programs. This should be reflected not only in looks, but most importantly in confirmation, movement, and temperament. All of these attributes are a must for a good-quality Gypsy horse.
Before looking for a horse to buy, it is vital that you determine what you will be doing with your new horse. Are you looking for a horse for leisure-riding, or are you going to be riding competitively? Are you looking to acquire good stock for a breeding program? You also need to be aware of the purpose the horse was bred for. Some horses are bred for sports equitation. Many Irish cobs are out competing.
Gypsy horses that are draft-bred would be best suited for the purpose of a workhorse. Driving may be a good equitation for a draft-bred horse. The traditional Gypsy cob is the most favored, sought-after Gypsy horse today, and it is a fine-tuned, all-around family animal capable of being used for diverse purposes. By identifying what your horse's purpose will be beforehand, you can ensure that your breed of horse will match your needs.
Gypsy horse searching include some other important factors you should be aware of regarding breeding, pedigrees, and blood lines. It is important you get as much information as possible upfront, so you can then determine if you are comfortable with the quality of your prospective Gypsy horse and its background. Determine if the Gypsy horse is a pedigree and how much information is available regarding the horse's bloodline and lineage. Identify how far back in history the bloodlines can be traced and establish if the bloodlines are well known. Find out who the dam or horse's mother was and who is the stallion she was bred with if this information is important to you. Gypsies and horse traders may exaggerate or simply make up line information, so reputation is a must that may be backed up by DNA testing. Determine what breeding stock has been blended into the breeding lines and find out how closely the breeding stock is related. Previously this information was difficult to obtain; however, current demand has forced breeders to make this information more readily available.
It is also valuable to know some background information regarding the sellers, the breeders, and breeding methods. Ascertain how long the breeders have been breeding and, specifically, how long they have been breeding this type of Gypsy horse? Establish what type of breeding program the breeders have in place. Quality breeders should have a program! Questions regarding the estimated date of foaling (if applicable), mass production of foals, if there are horses bred in the wild, if the breeder's stallions are used for breeding, the rotation of the stallions into different fields of mares, and rotation time frames, should all be answered. If you desire, request to see the sire or dam. It is also important to inquire about what kind of medical care the horse is receiving. If the mare is not delivering the foal before you purchase your Gypsy horse, request if an ultrasound is available before shipping to confirm that the mare is indeed in foal. Reputable veterinarians in Europe can be hired from overseas, and they can vet-check your horse prior to purchase.
Another important aspect to consider when purchasing your new horse is the cost. You need to be aware that mares will be more expensive than young stock. Mares over two require an additional two weeks in a quarantine facility. Stallions require six weeks of quarantine. This may bring the price of the horse way up. Bloodwork needs to be done in order for horses to leave the country, and it is an additional cost.
Gypsy horse purchasing from overseas, the shipping cost may or may not be included in the price of the horse. Find this information out. The price of airfare may change according to the type of flight and the change in the value of the American dollar. Obtain information on reliable shippers with good reputations, and then include this in your purchasing budget. An additional price factor should be reflection of the pedigree, but often is not a reflection of price. Many Gypsy breeders are private people and will not allow their breeding pedigrees to be available. Look at the other horses that are being sold through this breeder. Is there consistency in the breeding program? Are there other buyers you can talk to who are satisfied with their purchase? Keep in mind, there are several Gypsy horses available on the market in the low thousand-dollar range, but this does not make them quality horses. Don't spend $10,000 on airfare, vet, and quarantine services to bring in a $2,000 horse. Be a conscientious consumer!
At this point, many U.S. breeders have acquired high-quality stock. It may be an advantage to purchase an American-born and -bred Gypsy horse. More than likely, you will be able to see both the sire and dam of the horse you are purchasing. Also, the horse may be a more amicable animal with more hands-on socialization than a field-bred horse from Europe. Many horses coming into this country may be only halter-broke, and nothing more.
DNA information is more readily available on horses already purchased and bred in the U.S., which helps confirm the lineage of quality Gypsy horses. With new DNA information available, many will find out that their horses may not have the desired generations of line-breeding behind them. Also, with this new DNA data many will be pleasantly surprised and find horses that may be more valuable than originally thought. Long-term genetics of a breeding program will disclose any genetic flaws.
Gypsy horse training is the final aspect to consider before purchasing a Gypsy horse. You need to determine if the seller or breeder will incorporate any training before you acquire your horse. If not, you will need to make the appropriate arrangements for training, and then budget for this additional expense. Find out about the training the horse may have. Because of the temperament of these horses, it is quite easy to put a horse under cart or put a child on the horse's back, but that does not mean the horse has true equitational training. Because of the interest in Gypsy horses and the fact that Gypsy horses are easy to train, they are being welcomed by many trainers.
In general, the thought of all the factors to be considered when purchasing a Gypsy horse can be overwhelming to some. However, with a little planning and inquiry to determine the pertinent information you need to know, purchasing your new Gypsy horse can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The key is to ask the right questions regarding background, breeding, and lineage, and then make an informed and educated decision based on that information.