Description of horses of the Gypsy breed Tinker
The gypsy horse (in other words Tinker) is one of the most popular breeds. Stallions are distinguished by their endurance and unprecedented external beauty.
Gypsies have been famous for their riding skills since ancient times: even children could perfectly cope with horses. The four-legged companions of the gypsies also differ in their appearance and in general positive qualities: they are dexterous, quick, noble and proud.
Historical data on the Gypsy breed
This breed was created by ten years of crossbreeding and gene mutations.
Ireland is considered the birthplace of gypsy horses. It was there that the crossing of local horse breeds began with the breeds brought by the Roma (nomadic tribes). The progenitors of these horses are many breeds. It was only in 1996 that they began to breed tinkers directly, although the breed was formed around the beginning of the twentieth century.
Today, gypsy horses are widespread in different regions of the world.
The official name is the Irish Harness Horse, but in countries such as Germany and Holland, the term "Tinker" (translated as gypsy) is more common. This circumstance offends the Irish, who prefer to call the animals Irish cobs or simply piebald cobs (Irish piebald). The word cob translated from English means "short, stocky, well-knit horse."
Description and characteristics of the breed
Every creature on Earth is unique, even representatives of the same family have distinctive features, the same can be said about the breed. Tinkers have a number of characteristics that set them apart from other horses:
- Despite the word "cob", which was attached to the gypsy horse, tinkers have an average height by conventional standards (about 143-155 cm), in some cases it can move up (up to 160 cm, such pets are called grand) or down ( from 135 to 143 cm, referred to as mini). Such deviations are considered quite normal.
- The total body weight of animals can range from 240 to 700 kg. As in the case of growth, such deviations are considered quite normal and do not indicate disease or birth defects.
- Gypsy horses are distinguished by a strong, well-built body, distinguished by its power and breadth, strong muscles are well traced on the body.
- Cobs have a short back that flows smoothly into a high croup.
- In the external appearance of tinkers, graceful savagery is visible: they have a low withers, a beautiful neck bend, a head that is rough at first glance and long ears.
- The gypsy draft horse can be distinguished by the beard under the jaw.
- Gypsy tinkers have excellent hair: they have a smooth and shiny mane, withers and tail, and the lower limbs are covered with the same fine hair.
Outwardly, Tinker's horse stands out from the crowd. This breed does not compete with professionally bred horses, but it can give odds to many of them.In addition, the gypsy horses have excellent running qualities.
The color of Tinkers is piebald (light or, conversely, a dark body is filled with spots of the opposite color). In previous centuries in Europe, such a suit was not appreciated and was considered "defective", which led to the wildness and wayward nature of animals. In its modern form, there are 3 varieties of this breed: tobiano, overro and tovero.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Tinker breed
Tinker horses, like all others, have their positive and negative sides. A person who decides to start breeding such horses should familiarize themselves with all the points of pros and cons in order to make an informed decision. Positive points:
- The first point among all the benefits is exclusivity. The fact is that there are not very many such horses: there are only a small number of tinker horses in different countries of the world. For the owner, such a horse will become a wonderful friend and companion, as well as a rare specimen and a reason to boast of a four-legged friend to friends.
- It is equally important to note the appearance (or exterior) of the horse among the positive qualities. Such a horse has an attractive appearance, proud and beautiful posture, and smooth coat, which makes the gypsy horse an excellent choice for admiring. These horses look good in a team harness.
- Tinkers have soft gaits, which only once again speaks of the convenience of their use when riding or creating a team.
- The calm and quiet character of the horses gives the gypsy harness an additional charm. Their wild appearance, combined with kindness and complaisance of character, makes tinkers an excellent option for learning to ride.
- Simplicity and cost-effective content. This breed, due to its historical origin, is very unpretentious to food and living conditions in the summer or winter. It is only important to treat pets with love and proper warmth.
Tinker is a good horse, but it also has a flaw. This breed also has its drawbacks, which should be focused on:
- High price. This factor discourages many horse breeders from purchasing a gypsy horse. At the moment, horses are on a wave of popularity, which increases demand and, accordingly, the price too.
- Unsuitability for horse racing. Although gypsy sled horses are good for horse riding, sledding and simple dressage, they are completely unsuitable for racing.
We can say that the tinker is a versatile horse. This breed, although it is expensive, is unpretentious in nutrition and maintenance and does not require any special rituals. Animals have powerful hooves (this is due to the fact that gypsies have a negative attitude to shoeing their horses), incredibly beautiful mane and tail. Such a horse is considered an excellent friend for children and adults, due to its docile disposition and friendliness.
All the pluses are more than compensated by the presence of two minor minuses. The main thing is to decide on the purpose of the purchase. If the main goal is to participate in horse races and sports competitions, Tinker will not be the best choice, but for personal use, horse riding or just keeping on a farm, Irish mares are an excellent option.
Areas of use of this breed
The Tinker horse is widely used in various branches of human life. Pets are universal, so we should only be surprised when looking at a huge list of their possible uses:
- horseback riding;
- creation of teams;
- keeping on farms;
- the use of females as nurses for young foals of more rare and wayward horse breeds;
- the use of tinkers for the rehabilitation of patients with various diseases.
This horse breed is an excellent choice for both professional horse breeders and those who are just taking their first steps in this craft.Gypsy horses are unpretentious, which makes it possible for beginners not to worry too much about the intricacies of care and the selection of food for their wards.
Let the farmer not be intimidated by the high cost of such a horse: it pays off in the very first months with countless positive emotions donated by the horse, and the low cost of maintenance products. These animals are very beautiful, you can see it in the photo on the Internet. Tinkers are versatile horses and a perfect example for a family farm.