[QUOTE=PlanB;8586523]
?? That’s a bit odd. Antibiotics should clear up scratches that aren’t responding to topical treatments. I’ve known TB’s, QH’s, Paints, Warmbloods, Arabs and a Welsh pony that got scratches; it’s not just a draft thing.[/QUOTE]
“Scratches” in draft horses is often very different than the garden variety scratches typically encountered in other breeds. Severe cases are likely actually lymphedema.
I’m not sure why the OP bothered asking. She has pooh-poohed the issues with both founder and scratches. I guess she meant to say share only POSITIVE stuff.
My b/o came late to the Gypsy world and it appears they don’t move as fast or as pricey as they did several years ago. But she had a lovely cob stallion which she sold, and a small herd of mares, all of whom lived together in one pasture. The stallion was a model citizen, and so were all of his babies, as well as her broodmares. She just has a few youngsters left for sale. In fact she just had an 83 y.o. woman come by to try out a very rugged 4 y.o. mare for her next horse.
These horses do have wonderful dispositions. My riding buddy is leasing a very nice piebald mare whom my chicken-hearted Paint gelding finds reliable enough to follow on trail rides.
Lisa Miller, Miller Stables Ocala or Tyler, MN, depending on where she’s at (actually I think she is in FL right now), has quite a few…or at least she used to. I know she is selling all her GV and focusing on breeding warmbloods now instead.
Giver her a call and make her an offer.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8586737]
I’m not sure why the OP bothered asking. She has pooh-poohed the issues with both founder and scratches. I guess she meant to say share only POSITIVE stuff.[/QUOTE]
Yes in a way I don’t need all these “dire” warnings that everybody has heard from some second cousin etc or thinks might be the case. I know many farms that have Shires and Friesans right in my area that appear to be thriving so I’m not sure why a Gypsy Vanner is about to die from scratches and temps over 85 and a blade of grass? This is a bit odd. I guess it would be nice to hear from ACTUAL OWNERS of Gypsy horses not just people that have heard stuff because we all know how that goes…rumor and gossip and only the bad stuff is worth posting. People started out posting nice stuff, but, it is kind of gone down hill a bit.
Holy moly y’all make it sound like draft horses are completely useless!
I have a welsh cob type (welsh ponyxpercheron) and he’s a hairy beast for sure; he did get scratches one year which cleared up with some clipping/washing/polysporin, and yes he needs a muzzle.
But he’s hardy and healthy and sound, he has excellent bone and feet, and he can totally take a joke when faced with an adult ammy like myself.
There’s a breed/type for everyone out there; how boring would it be if we all had the same kind of horse??
My German host family had one. He was unflappable, I don’t think I ever saw him spook. He was forward and bold, though, and loved to go for gallops. A really fun horse for trail riding.
I think they’re nice horses for what they are. Fun for general recreational riding, but not particularly athletic. If the prices continue to come down I might someday consider getting one as a husband/guest horse. I wouldn’t consider a gypsy horse for my personal dressage mount.
[QUOTE=saultgirl;8587009]
Holy moly y’all make it sound like draft horses are completely useless!
I have a welsh cob type (welsh ponyxpercheron) and he’s a hairy beast for sure; he did get scratches one year which cleared up with some clipping/washing/polysporin, and yes he needs a muzzle.
But he’s hardy and healthy and sound, he has excellent bone and feet, and he can totally take a joke when faced with an adult ammy like myself.
There’s a breed/type for everyone out there; how boring would it be if we all had the same kind of horse??[/QUOTE]
I don’t see that at all, I see lots of people who say they enjoy those horses and horses of that type. I, myself, have a Cob filly who is a blast and so far (at almost four years old) awesome for an amateur like me.
I think that people are only trying to be realistic about things that can go wrong. Sure, anything can go wrong with any horse, but certain breeds are predisposed to certain issues. Wouldn’t you like to know what the pros and cons were if you were to consider a breed you weren’t familiar with?
Regarding the scratches issue, a friend’s horse (TB, so nothing drafty or overly hairy) had what turned out to be a very bad lymphedema issue that rendered him unsound for riding - they could never get it under control. It was on his white-stocking-ed leg. Given that the GVs are hairy and colored, it is just something to point out to keep an eye out for.
If OP wants a GV, I don’t think anyone is telling her “YOU CANNOT GET A GV!” People are just pointing out that there may be some health issues to deal with. That’s all.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8586737]
I’m not sure why the OP bothered asking. She has pooh-poohed the issues with both founder and scratches. I guess she meant to say share only POSITIVE stuff.[/QUOTE]
I always want to hear the negatives of horse breeds before buying. But you are probably right, OP doesn’t want to know the negatives.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8586737]
I’m not sure why the OP bothered asking. She has pooh-poohed the issues with both founder and scratches. I guess she meant to say share only POSITIVE stuff.[/QUOTE]
I always want to hear the negatives of horse breeds before buying. But you are probably right, OP doesn’t want to know the negatives.
[QUOTE=shezabrazenmare;8587672]
I always want to hear the negatives of horse breeds before buying. But you are probably right, OP doesn’t want to know the negatives.[/QUOTE]
OP asked if anyone had one and also for a recommendation of where to look for one.
If someone started a thread and asked the same with respect to quarter horses, chances are we wouldn’t have the same types of comments.
I bet you would depending on what she decided she wanted that horse to do…lol.
Not the same comment because a GV is different and QHs have their own set of issues.
^No, it would be about possible navicular, watch out for big muscles carried by tiny feet, how hard they are to cool off because of all those big muscles, probably not the breed for LD or endurance, etc. Many are built downhill so may not be the best jumpers.
No breed is without potential issues and no breed is perfect or even suitable for all purposes.
I am sorry i didn’t realize this was meant to be nothing but a rah rah thread.
I would like ACTUAL owners to post rather than just third parties. I don’t find that unreasonable do other people find that totally rude?
[QUOTE=Ladylexie;8587910]
I would like ACTUAL owners to post rather than just third parties. I don’t find that unreasonable do other people find that totally rude?[/QUOTE]
Of course not, I just missed the clues that that was ALL you wanted from your original question. Nothing wrong with a good fanfest! Hopefully some more owners will chime in.
My only experience with them (if you can even call it that) was when I lived in Germany and would see them at the different festivals. They were used for kids’ pony rides, in little covered rings enclosed with only about a 2’ wall. This was always right in the middle of the midway. Those horses calmly walked around (NOT tied to a pole like in the US) the ring with all the noise and people and commotion around them. I was impressed!
I’ve had Shires for years. Chronic progressive Lymphedema is a real thing. I’ve had one with it, and the rest did not. It was a PITA to manage, doable, but a PITA. That’s why I suggested you thoroughly check the legs, if they have it, you’ll manage it (hopefully) but you won’t get rid of it. The trick is not to buy (or breed!) a horse that does have it. There’s a reason our breed standard calls for “fine and silky feather” 
Coarse and curly feather (feather is singular BTW, horses have feather, birds have feathers) is much more problematic. I’ve seen quite a few Gypsies that do have it
Re the grass thing, that might depend on your climate. They certainly live out to grass in the UK. When we were flying out of Heathrow two years ago you could see from the air, spotted ponies all over the place staked out near the airport on long ropes mowing grass. I didn’t see any that were obesely fat. Grazing is different there though, the draft horses get a lot of grain. A LOT. When they’re showing at least. It’s not a problem. Quite a lot of carrots too. I’d say at least 5 lbs a day. Maybe because the carrots are cheap. When we went to a feed store in Scotland you could buy a cubic yard (meter?) of carrots for 2 pounds. They had a bin of carrots, like the bins you see at landscaping yards, you’d get a tractor scoop of carrots. it’s different over there
[QUOTE=Quelah;8587950]
Quite a lot of carrots too. I’d say at least 5 lbs a day. Maybe because the carrots are cheap. When we went to a feed store in Scotland you could buy a cubic yard (meter?) of carrots for 2 pounds. They had a bin of carrots, like the bins you see at landscaping yards, you’d get a tractor scoop of carrots. it’s different over there ;)[/QUOTE]
The first trainer I worked with used to buy 50 pound bags of carrots. 
We always had carrots in our pockets and each horse got some with it’s feed. That’s the only barn I know that ever did that around here.
OP, I know someone in California who breeds beautiful, very correct Gypsy Vanners. Feel free to PM if you want their details.
They’re good honest people.
I own 4 gypsy vanners and have worked with i’d say about 30 others.
Each is an individual, but for the most part…they are quiet and sensible horses. Hard to spook/fluster and truly not the lazy beasts that many think. Yes there are a few on the lazy/slower side, but many are well moving and forward rides. I have also met one that was rather on edge and could buck! They truly want to please, love being with their humans, and are generally fairly confident. Mine would all much rather confront a scary object then run away.
They are COMFORTABLE to ride! Talk about a smooth and easy trot! Not joking in the least, I absolutely adore my stallions trot and many of the others I have ridden. No, you are probably not going to see a bunch of GV’s competing in eventing, but that is not to say that there wont be a few individuals that truly excel at it. And for dressage, I have actually seen quite a few vanners that did/do very well in that ring, as well as hunters and western pleasure. Just because they were originally bred to pull a cart does not mean that they are all a drafty ride and cannot do well in the show ring.
A lot of what makes a good riding vanner and or one that may excel further in riding in a particular discipline, is the breeding. Just like any other breed, there are vanners out there with poor bloodlines, conformation, personality, etc. A Vanner is not a perfect horse just because it is blk/wht and has feather. When buying, one truly needs to do their research and invest in the correct lineage/build…not just any feathered vanner because its pretty. I have noticed that different bloodlines throw horses that are more of a western pleasure/laid back build or dressage/forward and athletic movement. I’d say 2 of my horses are more western pleasure and 2 are dressage/English all the way…love watching that free movement in the shoulder and front end
I have worked with vanners in FL in 90+ degree heat and they really managed quite well (they handled it better then my NSH did). They were not sweaty and run down, they adjusted just like we do. Have I seen a few horses with scratches and lymphedema, yes. Is it painful for them and hard to manage, yes. Do they all get it, no. Is seemed that a few had lymphedema (only 2 that I worked with) and it was quite painful, but most did not have a problem at all, or if they did, it was very mild. Mites however are something to watch for, though again, they did not all get them.
We are coming out of winter/muddy season (living in MI with my vanners now) here and I cannot wait to give baths to all of my guys to get rid of the muddy feather. so far the only one I have feather issues with is my stallion, whom came to me this way a few months ago. Nothing severe, and I’m sure I can get him all cleaned up as soon as bathing season comes around. So far, all of my GV’s do really well in the Michigan weather an are incredibly hardy.
As for the mane and tail, if you want to keep it long, it is a ton of work/maintenance! but worth it
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