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A Historic Romany Weekend at Dixie Down Meadows

Steve and Jane Down of Dixie Down Meadows located overseas in England, held a weekend of Romany enchantment from May 29-30, 2010. The first day began with a tour of some of the Down’s horse pastures where attendees enjoyed interacting and photographing their beautiful horses in a field of two year olds.

Following some playtime, attendees were given a presentation by a UK Equine Dental Specialist who was invited by the Down family to inform guests of proper care and some recent concerns arising in the breeding industry. The dentist explained how some horse traders have been altering horse’s teeth in order to sell them as younger horses. He went through the tools used and how to recognize the signs.

Afterwards attendees were presented with some of the best stallions ever to be bred in England with The Stallion Parade. Spectators were introduced to the breathtaking horses and their heritage as they snapped plenty of photographs.

That night attendees gathered around the campfire to hear Steve tell old Romany tales, it was a truly magical experience!

Behind the Easel

with Dianne Dakowicz

Compiled by Celeste Karpf 

Artwork: Dianne Dakowicz

GHJ: When did you first start drawing and painting?

DD: Very young when I was in middle school, my family was very encouraging.

GHJ: How long have you been a professional artist?

DD: Since graduation from College in 1981! My first job was a junior graphic designer, where I was also able to use my illustration skills. I was quickly promoted, and in five years I was head designer and assistant art director for a major firm in Boston ‘till 1990 when I went out on my own.

Inspired by You

Since the start of this publication, we at the Gypsy Horse Journal have interacted with some incredible people. The Gypsy horse industry may stretch across the country – and beyond, but it’s really a small world where everyone knows each other.

It’s been a pleasure speaking with people who are so passionate about their horses and who are ready to share photos, information and offer advice to our still very young publication. We certainly try to keep everyone in mind, but above all, properly represent these horses to the best of our ability.

We all know that these horses bring joy to everyone they come in contact with, and what better way to share the experience than through a publication that can reach so many? With your help and insight, we can continue to bring the magic of the Gypsy horses to readers across the country.

LexLin Gypsy Ranch

Rockwood, Tennessee

By Catherine Girard

www.gogypsy.com.

In the tradition of fine southern hospitality, Mechelle and Eric Barton would like to welcome you to LexLin Gypsy Ranch! Nestled near the banks of the Tennessee River in Rockwood, Tennessee, the ranch was named for the couple’s eldest daughter, Lexi, and their youngest daughter, Lindie, and is home to 83 registered, or pending registration, Gypsy Vanner horses and cobs representing some of the finest bloodlines available. Selected by Mechelle for the ranch’s breeding program, each horse was chosen for its lineage, exemplary conformation, movement, temperament and beauty. Additionally, every horse has been DNA tested and their breeding stock color tested, and their six stallions are registered with all four registries operating within the United States.

Love At First Hug

Tips to Introducing Children to Gypsy horses

By Alicia Rock, Rock Ranch, Butte Valley, CA

www.rockranchonline.healdsburg.net

Foaling season is the most enchanting time of the year especially when shared with a child. Our foals are the extension of our Gypsy horses while our children are the future of the Gypsy world. They will be good horse owners that will promote the well being of our Gypsy horses if taught first-hand how to care for our horses with love.

We share all aspects of our even-tempered mare’s pregnancy with our children, as they get ready to foal. If a mare exhibits over protective issues with her foal we do not keep her in our breeding program as she can be dangerous to people and other horses. Our veterinarian does vet checks and often talks with our kids. These pint-size Gypsy lovers come up with an age-old question: How do you know when the foal is coming?

The mare’s pregnancy is about 11 months or 340 days after being bred to a stallion, this length of time is called the gestation period – we use “big” words, as children want to learn the facts. We wish we knew when foals would arrive exactly, but we only know approximate dates and time.

Painted Hills Farm

Leyden, Massachusetts

By Pat Muccigrosso

To some, Caryl Giard’s dream seems very small. There are only six Gypsy Cob mares on Painted Hills Farm and Caryl only breeds a foal or two every year or so. “We are a very small breeder but we pride ourselves on that. Staying small and staying personal is where we’d like to be,” explains Caryl.

With 100 acres in rural Leyden, Massachusetts, Caryl could go bigger but deliberately chooses not to. She thinks Painted Hills Farm is just the right size. “We are not trying to be a huge farm, breeding hundreds of horses,” says Caryl. “We want the few that we sell each year to be something people connect with and see the difference in.”

Small works for her but how does she pay the bills in a tough economy? “You don’t, to be honest,” Caryl laughs. “It’s definitely not a money maker. The farm is a kind of hobby, an expensive one but a good one. You do it because you love it.”

Laughing again, Caryl adds, “The only people making any money are the huge breeders, and I don’t know how they have been doing it. The horses just aren’t selling like they were five years ago.”

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