Love at First Sight
by Michele Bournonville, Midnight Sun Ranch

It was love at first sight and the more I investigated the Gypsy horse the more I was in love!

I saw my first Gypsy Horse five years ago while horse shopping on line. We were living in Alaska at the time and the horse choices were limited.

The horse I saw was “Gypsy King” from Gypsy Gold Ranch, Wow what a guy!

I learned the colorful history behind the Gypsy Horse. In Europe the people and their horses are called by many names Gypsy, Romany, Tinkers and Travelers to name but a few. Thee horses are medium to heavy weight, compact and powerful amd ample both in muscle and bone. The breed was perfected to live with these traveling people.

The Gypsy Horses would drive the Vardo (the wagons the families lived in), carry the children around and anything else that was necessary. Intelligence, easy keeping, kind, easy and willing in nature and stamina were all a must. And of course beauty! Their hair is luxurious, long and feathering and they have an abundance, their faces also have a kind expression.

Shires, Clydesdales, Friesian, Fells and Dales were used as the foundation for the Gypsy Horse. Usually standing between 13hh to 15.3hh, they can come in all colors including Pinto and the unusual Blagdon color pattern being any solid color with white splashed under the belly.

In Europe several registries have developed to preserve the integrity of the Gypsy Horse.

In the United States we have started importing the Gypsy Horses and have three registries: Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association, Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and the Gypsy Cob Society of America. Each registry has their own guidelines as to the horses that can be registered with them. Each honoring these horses and keeping their colorful history alive.

We now live in Colville, Washington and own five Gypsy Horses and they are by far more wonderful than I could have imagined. Our ranch name is Midnight Sun Ranch and we are family owned and operated. We take pride in importing and breeding high quality Gypsy Vanners, Miniature Horses and Haflingers, and offering select horses for sale. We have found the magic in owning these colorful horses with colorful histories. Now we invite you to do the same. We can be contacted via e-mail: admin@midnightsunranch.com or please visit our website www.midnightsunranch.com. Our telephone number is: 509/685-0470.