• Most gypsy horses display black-and-white markings.HORSE image by Przemys...?aw Lemiowski from Fotolia.com
  
  Gypsy horses go by many names, including Romany horse and tinker horse. The result of breeding between draft horses and native English pony breeds such as Fell and Dales ponies, gypsy horses are heavy-boned and have intelligent faces. Used to pull the family caravan, gypsy horses are bred to have great endurance, an even temperament and sturdy limbs. Cobs are also status symbols within gypsy culture, so animals with showy markings are favored.
  
  

Romany Vanner

• A fairly recent development as a breed, the Romany vanner came into its present form about150 years ago. It is the most basic variation of gypsy horse, and it pulls the caravan, or "van," of travelers. Although their primary use is as a draft animal, vanners are also sometimes ridden bareback; careful breeding creates sturdy, thick-legged animals with relatively narrow backs, suitable for riding. Standing between 15.2 and 16 hands high, Romany vanners are not as tall as other draft animals but are almost as heavy, weighing up to 1,400 pounds. Like all gypsy-bred horses, the vanner is cold-blooded, meaning that it has a docile temperament and tremendous stamina. Pinto markings are the favored color in vanners, with an emphasis on even color distribution. Feathering, or long hair, along the lower legs is another prized trait common throughout most gypsy horse breeds, but especially the vanner.
  
  

Romany Cob

• The most common gypsy breed, the Romany cob is smaller and lighter than the vanner. The result of breeding between Shire draft horses and British pony varieties like the Fell and Dales ponies, the Romany cob stands between 13.5 and 14.5 hands high with a sturdy yet fine bone structure. Despite being so popular, strict breeding regulations have never been established for the cob. However, several traits are preferable within gypsy culture, namely an even temperament, strength and stamina, flashy coloration and feathering around the lower legs and hooves.
  
  

Romany Grai

• "Grai" is the Romany word for horse. This variety more strongly resembles saddle horses in body shape and weight than other gypsy varieties, but with a slightly thicker leg and sturdier knees. Bred with an emphasis on speed and good form, the grai has a slightly prancing gate when walking, trotting, cantering and galloping. It has a more refined look than other gypsy types, with a handsome, delicate head and slightly smaller hooves. An all-purpose type, the grai is equally suited to pleasure riding and light draft work.
  
  

Romany Scudder

• Sometimes called the Romany trotter, the most distinguishing characteristic of this type is its bone structure, which is the finest of all gypsy horse varieties. Bred to be ridden in informal street races, the Romany scudder is the result of crossing cobs with standard-bred saddle horses. Because it is not suited to draft work, the scudder is rare in comparison to other gypsy breeds and is considered a luxury to own. This variety does not feature the leg feathering that other gypsy varieties display, although pinto colors are still preferred in this type.