Jeff, with his American friend, Gary, drives his bowtop waggon over a single-track bridge with the ruins of Barnard Castle behind.  Jeff is the only American to ever make the horse-drawn journey to Appleby Fair in England driving his own turnout (horse & waggon) over the entire trip.
Here at BFSGH, we don't just buy & sell horses - We are actively involved in the horse, their Gypsy breeders, and heritage.

Welcome to Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses.  We're glad you've taken the time to visit our site.
BFSGH is one of the oldest and most respected Gypsy Horse farms in North America.  We have imported and bred nearly 2000 Gypsy Horses during our involvement in the breed.  We are not a "hobby farm", nor a consolidator representing horses all over the country.  We are professional horse people who have the knowledge, skill, and experience to provide the finest Gypsy Horses in the country.  We believe in providing education to our clients so they may understand what makes a proper Gypsy Horse, and how to see it.  Breeders, Judges, and Show officials frequently refer to our resources to better provide their services.
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.  Indeed - most Gypsy Horse farms and breeders in the USA have purchased horses from BFSGH.  You may also be surprised to learn that horses from BFSGH have consistently taken the majority of top honors at this country's largest Gypsy Horse shows for three years running.  The top show professionals and breeders realize this, and it is our hope that after exploring our site, you will realize why.
Our knowledge & experience is best demonstrated in the horses we sell, and the prices we ask.  You will find our prices to be among the best in the industry.  In fact, most breeders cannot match our price for quality.
Enjoy your visit to our site, and feel free to call or write if you have any questions.  We believe you'll soon discover why we say,
"The Breed Starts Here"

Gypsy Horses - Definition

     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.
    
     For nearly 100 years, the Gypsies have bred and used colorful cob horses to pull their ornately decorated carts and living wagons thru the country lanes of England and Ireland. The horses they used were heavy boned and feathered horses, which are strong, sensible, docile, and incredibly hard working. The beautiful colors of these horses were not only pleasing to the eye, but also made them instantly recognizable, which helped to prevent them from being stolen or swapped discretely for inferior horses. The heavy feather on their legs, along with long flowing manes and tails added to the overall flash and flare long associated with the misunderstood and usually discriminated-against gypsy people.
    
     Here in the U.S., and around the world, the Gypsy Horse has come to be known by several different names. Irish Tinker, Gypsy Vanner, Gypsy Cob, Irish Cob, Romany Horse and the like, are all names used to describe the type of horse which gypsies have bred and used in the British Isles for generations. Although many horses of similar type are bred indiscriminately in Europe, the most sought after type of gypsy horses are bred by generations of gypsy families which have prized and guarded bloodlines that produce the highest quality horses imaginable.  The Gypsy horse is quite rare in North America, but is becoming more & more popular as each year goes by.
    
     Gypsies, Romany folk, or Travelers as the mobile ones are called, still exist, and are alive and well in the British Isles. Many have gone to a more modern lifestyle of motor homes and nice travel trailers, occasionally even going for a more traditional lifestyle of owning homes and land.  In spite of all of the modern pressures of life, there are still some Romany people that hold out for the old ways of traveling the countryside with horse and wagon, settling down for a bit here-and-there when the work is good. Although many people of gypsy heritage no longer travel, many still breed these horses as a way of keeping tradition alive. In fact, the wealth and prosperity of a Gypsy family is still largely judged by the size and quality of their herd of colored horses.
    
     Traditionally, the gypsy horse is involved in every aspect of family life, faithfully pulling the wagons and drays by day, while still being amenable and patient enough to teach the gypsy children to ride when the day is done. The horses are tethered at the campsite with the family waggon when they are not working, in all types of weather. They live, and thrive on only the grasses that happen to be growing along the side of the roads. The heartiness and exceptional disposition of these horses are their trademarks. They are known for being one of the most docile and gentle horses in the world - as well as being easy to train and easy to keep.
    
     The Gypsy Horse is a hearty little draft horse which usually stands between 13 and 15.2 hands. 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, in order to be a “traditional gypsy horse”, they must 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 that 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”.

     Black Forest Shires and Gypsy Horses is North America's largest importer and Breeder of these rare and beautiful horses.  We have a long list of happy clients for which we have found the perfect horse.  We offer the largest selection of available horses ANYWHERE, and can have them brought right to your door!  We let you choose your horses, and have all prices and types of horses available.  We personally spend thousands of hours each year with the gypsy breeders of these rare and magical horses, finding the best of the best stock, most of which are not available anywhere else in the world!  For more info on having us find you the perfect horse, check out the SALE PAGE.

     Along with breeding traditional sized gypsy horses, BFSGH is the original North American Breeder of the larger, rare and beautiful British Drum Horse.  For all the details on this type of horse made famous by the Queen of England, see our drum horse page.