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History of The Gypsy Cob The first known reference to Gypsies in England is in 1514 when an "Egypcyan" woman, a palm reader, gave evidence at an inquest in Lambeth, England. Over subsequent decades there were increasing references to bands of dark skinned and exotically dressed people travelling on horseback throughout the length of Britain. Genetic and linguistic evidence has shown that the Romani or Roma people originated from Northern India and over many centuries progressively made their way to Great Britain leaving permanent communities along the way throughout eastern and central Europe. With them they brought their colourful ways, which exists in all aspects of their lives and still can be witnessed through their magnificent gypsy vardos or wagons. The more well-to-do families had extravagantly decorated vardos which proclaimed their position within their own communities. For most it was the bare minimum and they travelled from town to town stopping where work was needed. Searching for Gypsy and Traveler culture in museums is complex. The culture has traditionally been oral rather than written, and a lifestyle that involves moving about does not generate a huge emphasis on possessions. There is of course a traditional gypsy 'style' but the disappearance for the most part of brightly coloured wagons and headscarves, have led to modern communities being accused of not being 'real' gypsies with a legitimate claim to travel. The Imperial War Museum's disturbing Holocaust exhibition describes how Gypsies were amongst those earmarked for destruction by the Nazis and the increased harassment of the communities before being taken to the death camps. Travelers or New Age Travelers are not to be confused with the Romani people, as they are believed to have originated in Ireland. However, it is not uncommon to find both these groups lumped together in the news media or the public’s mind. Both come from a wandering lifestyle but are from two distinct cultures. In a time when so much lip service is paid to tolerance of difference, the Romani people's traditional way of life has been illegal since 1995 in London. Since the Criminal Justice Act of that year, Gypsies and Travelers, have been forbidden to have a nomadic lifestyle. Gypsies still exist today and are alive and well in the British Isles. Due to the prejudice against them and the pressure of modern society, many of their old ways have died out. Most have exchanged their wagons for motor homes and trailers, or owning land and houses. However, for many, the bond with their horses has remained strong and intact over the years and has now evolved into more of a status symbol rather than a workhorse. Many claim that the Gypsy Cob was originally derived mainly from Shire, Fell and Dales bloodstock, along with the many natve pony breeds common to Great Britton. With much carefull selected breeding and line breeding a set type was developed and has been improved and refined over the last 100 years or so. The results of this careful breeding has resulted in a pony size cob between 13-15 hands, with a small refined head, petite ears, heavy bone, short coupled body for pulling, with a long flowing mane and tail and most importantly, profuse feathering starting from the knees down. In reality they are now quite different in conformation from over a hundred years ago and should be recognized as their own unique breed. The trend now with the gypsies is to breed their horses down to 12 -13 hands, however the average height of the Gypsy Cob is still between 13-15 hands high. Even a 14-hand stallion looks far bigger in size due to their enormous bulk and bone and the fact that most do not have high withers like many other breeds. Historic pictures of Romani people with their vardos and horses depict a different types of Romany horses that hardly resembled the gypsy cob of today. The breed has come a long way in development. Historic pictures reveal that the gypsy horse was much taller in statue with little feathering, nor mane. In fact all that was required was a strong heavy built horse to pull their prize possessions, the vardo. In the cities many of these horses were lighter in bone. When and where the colour was bred in is hard to say but some say it was done to safeguard their horses from being drafted into the English military which required solid coloured horses. There is now a resurgence to revive the old traveling ways and many Gypsies are uniting together to travel again in their bow top wagons during the summer months. Every year gypsies from all over England travel to the famous Appleby Fair which has been running for centuries. Here you will find an assortment of cobs for barter as well as many of the other horses bred by the Rom. The fair runs for about 5 days and the town of Appleby is flooded with buyers, sellers and curious onlookers watching the many activities that make the fair notable. Not all Romany people stayed with the Cobs. While the love of horses may still run in their blood, horse breeding remained with the families who were interested in maintaining their cultural heritage. Today it is only a select few of the Rom who know what a Gypsy Cob actually is. Each to their own trade. The beginnings of the breed, or first Cob cannot be traced back to any one man or horse. As with any animal breeders, there are some who are totally engrossed in their passion making it their world, while there are others who will breed simply for the sake of breeding. |