THE GYPSY HORSE/COB BREED STANDARD The Horse/Cob body type was deliberately bred for by the Gypsies, because of it's sturdy structure and small, but heavy and powerful, size and dense bone. A Cob, is defined in the dictionary as a "small, heavyset horse," the Cob is well known for its strength, tractability and feed efficiency. The Gypsy's Horse/Cob achieved its designer looks through the perfect union of a powerful body, heavy, flat bone, abundant hair, intelligence and docility. While a wide variation exists in size, regardless of a Gypsy's height, it should always display that perfect Cob type of a powerful body set on legs of flat, dense bone, abundant hair and a kind, intelligent expression. SIZE Gypsy Horses/Cobs can be any size and may be of the pony, cob or horse variety. GENERAL APPEARANCE The over all appearance of a Gypsy Horse/Cob should give the impression of intelligence, kindness, strength and agility. They should be of good bone, either medium weight or heavy weight, be well muscled, with a sturdy body, kind expression and abundant hair. HEAD The head should be in proportion to the body, neither too large nor too small, with broad forehead, generous jaw, square muzzle and even bite. The ears should be neat and well set on. The eyes should be large and set well apart with an intelligent, kind expression. NECK The neck should be slightly arched, well muscled, clean through the throat, not too short and tie in well at the shoulder and withers. CHEST The chest should be broad with ample muscle. The muscle along the bottom of the chest should appear in an inverted “V” shape as it ties into the forearm. SHOULDERS The shoulders should be deep, powerful and well sloped. WITHERS Withers should be average in height, not too high, with a good cover of muscle. BACK The back should be short, well muscled and tie in strongly at the loin. BARREL The barrel should be deep with well sprung ribs and a solid covering of muscle. The flank should be as deep as the girth. LEGS The legs should be set well under the body, straight, clean and with plenty of dense, flat bone. Forearms and gaskins should be well muscled. HINDQUARTERS Smooth and rounded across the croup, long hip with wide pelvis and well muscled buttocks. HAIR Mane and tail should be long and thick. Abundant feather starting at the knees and hocks, preferably with hair running down the front of the leg as well as the back. Feather may be straight or curling and should cover the hoof. COLOUR Gypsy Horses/Cobs may be any color, either solid or colored. DISPOSITION The Gypsy Horse/Cob should be, above all else, a kind and willing partner. It should display an intelligent character and docile temperament. Gypsy Horses are like potato chips - you can't have just one! Go back to... All text, pictures, animations, borders and backgrounds, appearing on this site, are the sole property of E.DeLeo and S.Clark, unless public domain or otherwise noted and may not be copied or reproduced without permission. Copyright E. DeLeo. 2003. Website Design by Lizzie