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Twenty five years ago when I first became involved with the gypsy cob, I asked a trusted old breeder friend who bred true to type coloured cobs what to look for in a quality gypsy horse. We used this benchmark and have taken it as the basis of our purchasing strategy for ourselves and our clients. We have expanded it to further to ensure we source only superior quality cobs that will be the future foundation of excellence within the breed. The gypsy horse is not all about hair, although it is the defining factor between a good one and an average one ! Conformation is conformation. Any horse of breeding quality should show the basic correct body and build expected from a cob bred from Native draft type horses. When assessing a horse you should ignore hair and colouring and view the conformation first and foremost. Inferior type horses will never be able to breed true to type or perform in many disciplines for any length of time.
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1. TEMPERAMENT
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Placid, calm, dependable, sociable and loving.
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2. THICK FLAT BONE AND JOINTS
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Clean, substantial short cannons and flat joints.
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3. SHORT BACK
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Short coupled, compact back for strength.
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4. SLOPING SHOULDER
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Well built and sloped shoulder for free motion.
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5. FEATHER
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From the knee/hock down all around the legs.
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6. APPLE BUM
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Strong, muscular well formed hindquarters.
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7. ROUNDED CROUP
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Well angled and rounded croup.
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8. HANDLING
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Training should be easier than other breeds.
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9. SWEET PONY HEAD
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In proportion, petite, neat head with kind face.
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10. WELL ARCHED NECK
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Muscled, arched neck well set on shoulder.
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11. SMALL EARS
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Small, neat pony ears well set on the head.
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12. BROAD CHEST
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Deep, ample, powerful, well muscled chest.
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13. FULL WITHERS
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Well covered, rounded withers level with croup.
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14. WIDE FEET
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Large, round strong hooves with healthy frogs.
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15. MOVEMENT
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Effortless and comfortable, higher on the front.
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16. MANE
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Full, thick mane should be at least to elbow.
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17. TAIL
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Thick tail should drag along the ground.
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18. EYES
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Large, kind, soft eyes, well set apart.
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19. COLOUR
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Any colour is acceptable.
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20. HEIGHT
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Between 12hh-16hh.
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