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