Welcome to Colorado
River Gypsy Horses
The new home of Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses
There’s an old saying, which goes “Gypsy Gold does not chink and glitter, it gleams in the sun, and neighs in the dark”. This proverb believed to be from the Claddaugh Gypsies of Galway refers to the magical relationship between gypsies and their most treasured objects, their horses.
We're glad you've taken the time to visit our
new site. We believe
you will find plenty of useful information here. This site is a
repository of knowledge which we have acquired over many years in the
Gypsy Horse industry. I intend to continue adding to this site as
time permits, so be sure to check back.
My son, Thomas and I (Jeff) Have been
involved with the breed since it first appeared in the USA. My
former partner and I owned and operated 'Black Forest Shires and Gypsy
Horses', and were responsible for importing over 1500 Gypsy Horses into
North America. These horses have firmly established the Gypsy
Horse as a recognized breed throughout the continent.
Thomas and I have found our new home on Colorado's
Western slope where the Colorado River provides fertile land, and scenic
beauty throughout the valley. It was obvious to us that this
landmark should be included in the name our new farm.
Although we no longer import horses, the legacy of our
work continues on. The horses we imported and their prodigy can be
seen from coast-to-coast in shows, fairs, and exhibitions.
Please see our "about us" page to learn more about who we are, and how our experience has shaped the Gypsy Horse industry in North America.
What
is a Gypsy Horse?
The Gypsy Horse is a hearty little draft horse
which was was developed and is currently used by the Gypsies of England
and Ireland. They typically stand between 13 and 15.2 hands, and
have an unusually quiet and gentle disposition. Their exceptional
stamina allows them to go all day at a steady trot while pulling a
loaded living waggon with the whole Gypsy family. They
are sturdily built with solid bone and have a good deal of feathering
and hair. The Gypsy horse comes in all colors, with the most
common being the "pinto" patterns, piebald and skewbald. Although
they have been bred for a particular type for generations, they are
originally descended from several draft horse and pony breeds, namely
the Shire and Clydesdale along with Dales, Fell, and other native
British breeds.
If you are looking for a horse that is known for
soundness and sanity, that will be a faithful companion to your family,
and is incredibly versatile, the traditional Gypsy Horse may just be the
perfect horse for you. Their compact size and sturdy build makes
them incredibly strong animals, capable of carrying and pulling a great
deal more weight than a light horse of similar height. They have proved
to excel at every discipline imaginable in the equine world, from
competitive driving to dressage and western sports! The traditions
of the Gypsies and the magical persona of these incredibly family
oriented horses make for the perfect “horse for all seasons”.