You will hear many different opinions about what is a “proper" Gypsy Cob.  Many of them are based on observations people have made while at a horse fair like  Appleby or based on convenient half-truths used by horse dealers for the sole purpose of selling a horse which may look “kind of  like” a Gypsy Cob but lacks the bone and conformation to truly fit the definition of a “proper” Gypsy Cob.  The Gypsy Cob is a breed that was created by the Romani Gypsies to help provide for their family whether it was pulling the wagon or hauling the dray.  A proper Gypsy Cob was meant to do a “day’s work.” You might ask how I know this?  I know this because the Down Family has been refining this breed for over 200 years.  Stevie’s Great-Grandfather, Grandfather and Father all managed large herds.  Each generation looked to improve this horse by continuing to breed for good bone, flat joints with a well muscled and arched neck and an “apple butt.” Conformation above all else.  A horse without all those attributes could not haul a load of logs 25 miles to town; then work the street all day picking up scrap and then haul that load back  25 miles to home. It is fascinating to listen to Stevie talk about his childhood living with the horses. As young as 3, it was up early to hitch  the stallion and load the dray to begin the long drive into town.  People marvel at the temperament of these horses, in particular the stallions, can you imagine any other breed that you could trust with your children and a load of logs.  Gypsy horses had to be gentle and good natured because everyone, even the little ones, had to work to keep the family fed.  A horse with a bad nature was culled from the herd.  At the end of the day, when Stevie and his brothers returned home and the dray was unhooked, it was out to the field until late at night to look after the broodmares, especially during foaling season.

It is this dedication and passion for the breed that Stevie has passed along to his own children and grandchildren.  Steve, Janey, Josy, Bonny and Dixie have grown up around the horses and it shows in the way they talk about them and handle them.  I  don’t think there is any conversation that doesn’t include what they have done with the horses that day or what they are planning to do with the horses tomorrow.  Caring for the herd is a family affair.  It is all hands on deck when it is time for some of the major herd chores like worming.   The entire group in any given pasture is herded into a portable round pen.  Then the real work begins as several horses at a time are allowed up into the box of the horse lorry to be wormed and checked over. Bonny, as the official record keeper, takes meticulous notes on which horses have been seen that day. The process continues until everyone is done.  It is hard work but all the good natured teasing and conversation make the job fun.  There is always something to be done. Whether it is halter breaking the weanlings, or checking the broodmares in the pastures or driving one of the stallions this is a family devoted to their horses.  That devotion to the breed is not confined to just the next generation. Both Steve’s 3 year old daughter and 18 month old son are already a part of many of the horse management activities.  Little Janey will be quite a show stopper I think. She is very confident and loves a crowd.  I can’t wait to see her in the show ring.  Little Steveboy is a natural horseman.  Take him along to the stable and he is content.  Put him up on a horse and he instinctively reaches for  the mane and grabs on with his knees.  It is exciting to see the love for this breed pass from one generation to the next.