The Breed Standard

Size
Gypsy Cobs are classified as under 16 hh and may be of the pony, cob or horse variety. Drum Horses must be at least 16 hh.

General Appearance
The over all appearance of a Gypsy Cob or Drum Horse should give the impression of intelligence, kindness, strength and agility. They should be of good bone, either medium weight or heavy weight, be well muscled, with a sturdy body, kind expression and abundant hair. The Drum Horse must also exhibit pinto coloring.

Head
The head should be in proportion to the body, neither too large nor too small, with broad forehead, generous jaw, square muzzle and even bite. The ears should be neat and well set on. The eyes should be large and set well apart with an intelligent, kind expression.

Neck
The neck should be slightly arched, well muscled, clean through the throat, not too short and tie in well at the shoulder and withers.

Chest
The chest should be broad with ample muscle. The muscle along the bottom of the chest should appear in an inverted “V” shape as it ties into the forearm.

Shoulders
The shoulders should be deep, powerful and well sloped.

Withers
Withers should be average in height, not too high, with a good cover of muscle.

Back
The back should be short, well muscled and tie in strongly at the loin.

Barrel
The barrel should be deep with well sprung ribs and a solid covering of muscle. The flank should be as deep as the girth.

Legs
The legs should be set well under the body, straight, clean and with plenty of dense, flat bone. Forearms and gaskins should be well muscled.

Hindquarters
Smooth and rounded across the croup, long hip with wide pelvis and well muscled buttocks.

Hair
Mane and tail should be long and thick. Abundant feathers starting at the knees and hocks, preferably with hair running down the front of the leg as well as the back. Feathers may be straight or curling and should cover the hoof.

Color
Gypsy Cobs may be any color, either solid or colored. Drum Horses may have any base color but must express an obviously pinto pattern. Black and White patter is known as the Piebald. Any other color in the pinto pattern is known as the Skewbald.

Disposition
The Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse should be, above all else, a kind and willing partner. It should display an intelligent character and docile temperament.

Classifications

Drum Horses
Drum Horses must be colored. Eligible solid colored foals will be registered as Appendix. Foals applying for Drum Horse registration must have at least one parent 16hh. Height of the parents must average a minimum of 16 hh and the smaller of the 2 parents must be at least 15 hh. (Sire 17hh, dam 15hh – average is 16hh so foal may be reg. as Drum Horse. Sire 16.1hh, dam 15hh – average equals 15.2 ½hh so foal must be reg. as Cob. Sire 17.3hh, dam 14.3hh – average 16.1 but foal is out of one parent less than 15hh so foal must be reg. as Cob) All Drum Horses must be veterinarian certified as a minimum of 16hh on or before their 5th birthday. (If over the age of 5 yrs when applying for registration, the height certificate must accompany the registration application.) Eligible horses less than 16hh at the age of 5 yrs will be reclassified as Cobs. Cobs maturing to 16hh, or better, will be reclassified as Drum Horses.

Gypsy Cobs
Gypsy Cobs can be solid or colored and can be any size up to 16hh. Cobs maturing 16hh, or better, will be reclassified as Drum Horses. Cobs must be veterinarian certified as less than 16hh between the ages of 3 yrs and 5 yrs. (If over the age of 5 yrs when applying for registration, the height certificate must accompany the registration application.