Breed Standard

The GHRA Breed Standard is Outlined Below

General Appearance

The Gypsy Cob is powerful and compact with an overall impression of intelligence, kindness, strength and agility. Proportioned and balanced with medium to heavy bone and well-muscled. Mane and tail are thick and luxurious. Abundant feather drapes from knee to ground. A proper cob often displays a beard, moustache and a forelock extending past the tip of its muzzle. A Gypsy Cob is usually pinto in colouring, but any coat or eye colour is acceptable.

Head

The Head is expressive and proportioned to body. Ears are well set and not too large, balanced to size. Eyes should be large, open and alert with good ocular bone structure. Jaws should be clearly defined, ample width between jaws, making adequate room for larynx and muscle attachments. Jaws are larger and more muscled on stallions. Nose straight profile and level bite.

Neck, Withers & Shoulders

The Neck balanced, generously muscled and arched. Clean, open throat latch. Neck ties in well at the shoulder. Shoulders deep, powerful and well sloped. Withers medium height and well muscled.

Body & Legs

Back supple, flexible, short and compact with ample muscle and longer underline. Ribs well sprung and deep heart girth. Hindquarters are very generous, smooth, broad and rounded across the croup with long hips well coupled to powerful hocks. Legs set well under the body with adequate space between front and hind legs. Leg bone flat with strong tendons. Good separation between tendon and bone. Feather starts at the knees and hocks, running down front and back of legs and covering the hooves. Joints must be solid with correctly sloped pasterns. Hooves must be well shaped with strong hoof walls and adequate frog.

Temperament & Movement
Overall appearance of a strong and willing partner that works harmoniously with its handler. Willing, confidant and offering its best with little encouragement. Sensible, steady, and eager to please. A steady forward walk with impulsion. Ground covering trot with a slight flick of feather at the point of extension.

SECTION AB – HORSES INCLUSIVE ALL HEIGHTS
SECTION C – CROSSBRED / ONE PARENT MUST BE GHRA REGISTERED SECTION AB

Here is a convenient diagram outlining various points of conformation to be considered when evaluating the Gypsy Horse. This diagram is available to download and print by clicking on the below image.

Diagrams courtesy of Jeff Bartko, Black Forrest Shires and Gypsy Horses