| Friesians
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| | typical of the breed.
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| Brief History
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| | Gypsy Cob
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| This draft breed is rooted in Friesland,
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| | History
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| Northwestern Europe, which is now a part
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| | This small draft horse traces its roots
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| of the Netherlands. The original stock
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| | to the Romanys, who had no need for the
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| was descended from the order of Equus
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| | larger drafts. For almost 100 years the
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| robustus (the big horse). In the 16th
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| | Romany people, or Gypsies, have bred the
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| and 17th centuries, Andalusian lineage
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| | cob to pull their traditional carts and
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| was introduced to the bloodline in the
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| | "mobile homes" throughout the country
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| form of Spanish stallions which were
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| | lanes of Ireland and England. And
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| abandoned on the battlefield during the
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| | although many of the "Travelers" - as the
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| war between the Spanish and the Dutch.
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| | ones who move about the country are
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| This new blood endowed the Friesian line
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| | called - have changed to more modern
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| with higher knee action, smaller heads,
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| | conveyances, there are still those who
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| and arching necks.
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| | cling to the traditional mode of travel.
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| Description and Characteristics
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| | Even though many people of the Romany
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| The Friesian is one of the smaller draft
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| | heritage no longer travel, they continue
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| horses, in stature and weight. In order
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| | to breed these colorful horses as a way
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| for Friesians to be deemed purebred, and
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| | of keeping tradition alive. As long ago
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| allowed to be used for breeding stock for
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| | the modern Gypsy's wealth is still, in a
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| a purebred line, they must be at least
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| | large part, measured by the size and
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| 14.3 hands (57.2 in., or 145.3 cm.) at
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| | quality of his horse herd.
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| the shoulder. And the subject must be
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| | Description and Conformation
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| solid black with no white markings on the
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| | The Gypsy Cob has no one specific color.
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| legs or body. The typical height is 15.3
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| | The most common are pinto patterned,
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| to 16.1 hands (155.4 to 163.6 cm., or
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| | piebald, and skewbald. They are small,
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| 61.2 to 64.4 in.). The Friesian is
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| | in that they traditionally stand 13 to
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| heavily boned, and the adult averages
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| | 15.2 hands (52 to 60.8 in., or 132 to 154
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| about 1300 pounds (92.3 stones). This
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| | cm.) at the shoulder. They are compact,
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| breed appears to be short and stocky.
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| | yet sturdy and durable. Their stamina
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| The thick manes and tails, and abundant
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| | allows them to pull a loaded "living
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| fetlock hair are traditionally allowed to
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| | wagon", at a steady trot, all day long.
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| remain full and natural. The Friesian
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| | In order to be classified as a
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| has a good temperament and is sensible
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| | traditional Gypsy horse, they must have
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| but lively. The breed can be used for
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| | an abundance of hair and feathering. The
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| pulling, or for saddle riding. And while
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| | feathering starts at the knee and grows
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| Friesians have the normal gaits - walk,
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| | all over the bottom half of the leg to
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| trot, and canter - long tradition has
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| | the hoof.
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| emphasized the "big" trot which is
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