By Janette Dragvold
Gypsy horses, also called Gypsy Cob, Gypsy Vanner, Irish Cob, and Irish Tinker, are a breed of draft pony known for their stocky build, beautiful mane and tail and heavily feathered feet. They were originally used by the traveling people of the British Isles, specifically the Romani people, to pull their caravan homes from place to place. The first Gypsy horses were brought over to the United States in 1996. Now there is said to be almost 5,000 Gypsy horses registered in the United States with several breeders in Minnesota, including Dusty Trail Ranch on County 11, Fountain, Minn.
For the last 14 years, Dusty Trail Ranch has raised and bred Gypsy horses. Though the Gypsy breed is their main focus they also have Drums (Gypsy crossed with Clydesdale), a few Fjords and Haflingers, and a couple of big drafts breeds of Clydesdale and Shire.
Dusty Trail Ranch is owned and operated by John and Ashley Grant along with their two sons Riley (14) and Palmer (13). Aside from horses they also have Angus cattle, chickens, three dogs, a cat, several fish and a gecko and raise their own hay.
They own around 18 horses with numbers fluctuating with sales and foals. They also have their own silver dapple Gypsy stallion used for breeding their own horses and is available for live cover breeding as well.
Most of their foals are born in the spring between April and May. Since John and Ashley work full-time they have help during the foaling season.
“We use a camera system so friends can help watch when they get close to foaling,” explains John.
Their friends also come over to help play with the baby foals to help them get used to being handled. Gypsy horses are known for their calm, gentle demeanor but the more handling of the little ones, the better.
“We try to play with the babies and try to do imprinting so they are as friendly as possible,” states Ashley. “I like handling the babies. It’s really fun as they learn to do things with you and they are so sweet.”
Dusty Trail Ranch sells their foals to homes all across the country. Gypsys and Drums come in many different colors and are most commonly used as pleasure riding horses and show horses but they can excel in many different facets. Trail riding, dressage, show jumping, western and English style showing and recreational and show driving are just a few of the many talents of these breeds. Their calm demeanors make them wonderful therapy horses as well. The Grants have even sold some to ranches out west where they are used to work cattle, showing just how versatile the breeds can be.
The Grants enjoy spending time with their horses by going on trail rides, camping, occasionally driving and showing at a few breed shows. They’ve shown at the Minnesota Horse Expo a few times as well. It’s a family affair as their oldest son Riley enjoys riding the horses while Palmer enjoys helping with the horse shows.
“For me, I enjoy just more of the hobby part of it, riding and camping and raising the babies. I’ve never been super competitive so the showing never spoke to me. I just did it so that people kind of know who I am,” explains Ashley. “So far I’ve only done in-hand classes at breed shows; halter and trail.”
All of her hard work paid off with three year end awards through the Gypsy Horse Registry of America. The most recent in 2022 for Cross Exhibition and two previous awards for halter and performance. Participants keep track of their points throughout the year, send them to the registry to be tallied up and then awards are given out to the winners at the end of that year.
The horse she has done so well with, DTR Smoke (Drum), is the first foal that they have kept from their breeding program. They do basic training with their foals and then send them off to a trainer for finishing work.
“It’s kind of fun to have one that your raised yourself,” says John. “Kind of a little proof that you’re doing something right.”
Dusty Trail Ranch has been slowly growing every year as they sell anywhere from three to five foals a year. They anticipate six foals this spring. It’s hard not to fall in love with such beautiful, gentle and inquisitive animals so for those interested in possibly owning a Gypsy horse one day, Ashley advises that they reach out to a variety of Gypsy horse breeders.
“Talk to a lot of different breeders,” she says. “There’s a lot of really good ones even just in Minnesota. They are very knowledgable people and are really very friendly. I would definitely say to meet with a breeder that has horses that you find appealing and to ask a lot of questions. We’re doing it because we love it.”
Dusty Trail Ranch can be reached through their website at www.dustytrailranch.net.