Tinker is the second name for the gypsy draft horse, which is becoming increasingly popular among riding enthusiasts. The breed is a derivative of the Irish and Gypsy lines with an admixture of blood from British breeds. The name “tinker” is used by breeders in Germany and the Netherlands, in other countries these horses are called “gypsy kob”. These cute shaggy animals are easily recognizable by their stocky massive figure, spectacular coloration and beautiful thick friezes on the hooves.
Horse Tinker
History
It is very difficult to restore the exact origin of the Tinker breed due to the nomadic life of the first breeders – the Gypsies. The official date when the gypsies appeared in the British Isles is 1430. There they quickly intermarried with another nomadic people – tinkers who were engaged in metalworking.
Interesting! The name “tinker” is nothing more than one of the names of gypsies, which has a disparaging connotation. It is not used in Ireland, where these horses first appeared, as it is offensive.
The animals that the Gypsy people brought to the British Isles gradually began to mix with local breeds, as a result of which the Irish Cob breed was born, which was intended for hard work. Living in gypsy communities, tinker horses went through a very tough natural selection. Often they were not savvy and had to be on the road all day, eating only pasture. Stables were not built for horses; they slept all year round in the open air.
Because of such features, the gypsy breed of horses did not stand out as a separate breed for a long time: it is natural that the gypsies did not engage in selection, their lifestyle did not provide for breeding records. Some kind of systematic work on breeding the gypsy cob began only in the 1950s. Tinkers received official breed status only in 1996.
Distinctive features
Tinker horses are medium sized. The growth of an adult individual can be in the range of 135–160 centimeters with a mass of 240 to 600 kg. Most often they are used for harnesses. In riding, such horses are not afraid of any obstacles: they easily make their way through ditches and ditches, gracefully jump over obstacles, but are inferior in speed to typical riding breeds.
Exterior and suits
The gypsy cob is easily recognizable by its luxuriant hair on its head, long tail and friezes. The large head in profile has a hump and rests on a short and strong neck. The breed is characterized by a powerful croup, a shortened back, and a well-developed muscular frame. Tinkers have very powerful hooves, which are almost completely covered by friezes starting at the hocks.
Representative of the Tinker breed
Most often, tinkers have a piebald suit, including 3 different shades: tobiano, overo and tovero. Also, the breed is characterized by a black, roan and chubara suit. Under the patches of white fur on the tinker’s body, pink skin can be seen.
Character
The calm disposition and phlegmatic temperament of tinkers have already been appreciated by many riders. These smart and docile animals, although they are not champions in speed, fall in love with themselves with their good nature and confident gait.
Interesting! Tinker mares are often used to feed foals of riding breeds: gypsy mares are distinguished by a large amount of milk. Also, the presence of a temperamental and frisky foal near a calm, phlegmatic mare has a positive effect on the behavior of the baby.
Advantages of the gypsy draft horse
The advantages of tinkers are not only attractive appearance. These animals are extremely hardy and unpretentious, which is explained by the harsh living conditions of their ancestors. Animals are distinguished by mobility, they feel great both in harness and under saddle. The Gypsy Kob belongs to a universal breed, however, due to the phlegmatic temperament, these horses quickly get tired in a gallop and do not belong to frisky horses. They are well suited for beginners in horseback riding.
Calm, beautiful and graceful tinker horses stand out with a soft graceful gait. Such animals are very convenient for the rider, they are often used to lead the horses to the start before the races: their confident and calm behavior calms the frisky animals a little. Tinkers are often used for riding lessons and belong to the category of the most expensive breeds: the cost of such a horse starts from 10 thousand dollars.
