Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses

     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 possessions, their horses.

      We're glad you've taken the time to visit our site.  We believe you will find plenty of useful information here.  For the past decade, Gypsyhorses.com has been the industry's first choice for information on the breed.   We will be adding to this site as time permits, so be sure to check back often.

     Black Forest Shires is owned by Jeff Bartko and Victoria Hauser.  We Have been involved with the breed since it first appeared in the USA.  In the year 2000, We established 'Black Forest Shires and Gypsy Horses', and proceeded to import over 1500 Gypsy Horses into North America.  These horses firmly established the Gypsy Horse as a recognized breed throughout the continent.  Our home is just outside Harrisonville, Missouri.

     Although we no longer import horses, the legacy of our work continues on.  The horses we imported and their progeny can be seen from coast-to-coast in shows, fairs, and exhibitions.

     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.

 What is a Gypsy Horse?

     The Gypsy Horse is a hearty little draft type horse which was developed and is still used by the Gypsies of England and Ireland.

     They typically stand between 13 and 15.2 hands, and have an unusually quiet and gentle disposition.  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 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 breeds, primarily the Shire and Clydesdale along with Dales, Fell, and other native British pony breeds.

     If you are looking for a horse that is known for soundness & 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 than 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 family oriented horses make them the perfect “horse for all seasons”.