History of the Gypsy Vanner

“Gypsy Gold does not chink & glitter, it gleams in the sun & neighs in the dark”

~ old Gypsy saying

The dreamlike painting above entitled Cushti Bok - Magic in the Air illustrates

a real horse and a real beginning. It depicts the moment in time when a

remarkable horse breed, previously unknown outside of the world of Gypsies,

was discovered by North American couple, Dennis and Cindy Thompson.

Created by renowned equine artist Lynn Wade, the painting is the first in the

Gypsy Gold series of story-based paintings meant to illustrate and preserve

forever a piece of equine history – the development, discovery and introduction

of a new breed of horse.

The stallion in the painting is Cushti Bok, whose name means ‘Good Luck’ in the

Romany language of Gypsies. He was to become the world’s first horse raised by Gypsies to be called by the breed name Gypsy Vanner Horse. In the middle of the last century, British Gypsies began selective breeding, with a vision to create the perfect horse to pull their colorful caravans. The English Gypsy caravan is the most highly decorated of these vehicles in the world, and their goal was to develop a breed just as illustrious. That effort reached its culmination in the beautiful animal now known as a Gypsy Vanner Horse: strong, even-tempered, proud, good with children, to say nothing of its breathtaking good looks.

DeerFields has acquired a number of Gypsy Vanner horses, whose bloodlines trace back to those of the original North American Vanners imported to North America. Gypsy Vanners have many wonderful qualities. Their glorious beauty is immediately noticeable. Years of selective breeding have developed a personality that is likely the most gentle and docile of any horse in the world. They are extremely sociable and eager to participate in your activities – and will do so with beauty and style!