Welcome to Sugar Hill Acres: Are you new to the enchanting world of Gypsy Vanner horses? At Sugar Hill Acres, we understand the unique needs and desires of both novice and experienced horse enthusiasts.
This information was written to provide an overview of essential information and resources for new Gypsy Vanner owners to help you get started with this wonderful breed. While we intend for this guide to provide valuable insights into their care, it’s essential to consult a qualified veterinarian for personalized recommendations.
- Feather Maintenance:
- Check the feather for conditions like mud fever (pastern dermatitis), which can occur if the feathers trap moisture and dirt.
- Salanders/Malanders- Refers to a type of skin condition often seen in Gypsy Vanners, characterized by crusty, scabby scales that can occur on the legs. Sallenders occurs in the crease of the knee on the front leg and Mallenders is present in front of the hock on the hind legs. Sallenders and Mallenders can become uncomfortable for your horse and if left untreated can cause secondary fungal and bacterial infections. The cause of Sallenders and Mallenders is the overproduction of keratin.
- Treatment: We apply Equiderma Skin Lotion to affected areas twice daily. Equiderma Skin Lotion will gently soften the waxy buildup in a couple of days and the scabs will start to drop off.
- Mites- are parasites that can infest horses, particularly those with long hair or feather. Thick feather provides an ideal environment for them, unfortunately. They thrive in cooler, wet climates.
- Appearance: Feather mites are tiny and can not be seen by the naked eye.
- Location: They often infest the feather, mane, and tail, especially in areas with dense hair. Irritation is usually around the pastern and fetlock areas, although it can spread upwards. The lower legs are the most common place for the mites to live. Mites can move very quickly from one area of the body to another and often transfer to other nearby horses.
- Symptoms
Skin Lesions: Frequent scratching can lead to skin irritation, hair loss, or secondary infections.
Clipping Feather: Clipping feather for extreme cases will drastically improve treatment success. You may need a vet to sedate as the legs are likely to be very sore.
Secondary Infections: If there are secondary skin infections present a vet may need to prescribe antibiotics.
Environmental Control: Cleaning and possibly treating the horse’s environment is crucial, as mites can survive off the host. Empty bedding and steam-clean stalls, grooming equipment, blankets etc.
2. Grooming:
- Mud Management: Gypsies often thrive outdoors, but their long feathering can attract mud. Be proactive in keeping their living environment dry when you can. We spray olive oil on feather to prevent “mudsicles” in the winter.
- Some of our favorite products:
- Detangler- EQyss Survivor Super Detangler or Equifuse Gleam
- Leave In Conditioner- Knotty Horse Apricot Oil RECON or Equifuse Rehydrinse
- Moisturizing Spray- EQyss Premier Marigold Equine Coat Conditioning Spray
- Equiderma Skin Lotion
- Conditioner- EQyss Premier Equine Conditioner or Equifuse CitraCreme
- Shampoo- EQyss Premier Botanical Equine Shampoo or Equifuse CitraFoam
- Show Shampoo- Galloping Goop or Orvus Paste
- For use on dry hair- Before braiding: Add 1oz of Rehydrinse to a 32oz spray bottle then fill with water. Apply to the mane and/or tail from roots to tips until slightly damp, run a brush through the hair to distribute, and then braid as normal.
- Show prep: Add 1oz of Rehydrinse to a 32oz spray bottle then fill with water. Spray onto a rag and wipe over the entire body to remove dust and add additional shine.
- Drying- Coat Defense or Equiderma Daily Defense
- Dew Poison Cream Rood and Riddle
- Canker Paste Rood and Riddle
3. Nutritional Needs: Gypsy Vanners tend to be easy keepers. High-quality forage (hay or pasture) and a vitamin/mineral supplement are usually sufficient for mature horses in moderate work. Consult with a veterinarian and nutritionist for a recommended diet.
- We typically feed our
- mature horses in moderate work- free choice hay/pasture, Unbeetable Forage Only and Triple Crown Balancer Gold
- weanlings/yearlings- free choice hay/pasture, Unbeetable Forage Only, Triple Crown Balancer Gold and depending on weight, ProElite Omega Advantage. In the past, we have fed Triple Crown Gold Senior or Triple Crown Growth.
- mares with foals at their side or in foal- increased amounts of Balancer as well as Senior or Omega for added fat as needed.
- Chronic Progressive Lymphedema- CPL, is a condition primarily affecting horses with feather. It results in the swelling of the lower limbs due to a failure in the lymphatic drainage system that results in progressive swelling with associated skin folds, nodules, and ulcerations. If you suspect CPL in a horse, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian immediately for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. Current treatment and management options aim to slow down the disease’s progression. Despite the severity of this condition, there are many uncertainties. The etiology or cause of CPL is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of factors including environmental influences, improper management, and genetics. Although no genetic traits associated with CPL have been identified in affected horses, a limited number of studies have identified environmental risk factors for CPL occurrence and disease severity.
- Clinical Signs: Key signs include:
- Swelling of the limbs, especially in the lower legs.
- Thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
- Development of lesions or ulcers.
- Pain or discomfort in the affected areas.
- Hyperkeratosic lesions.
- Regular grooming and maintaining hoof and leg health can help prevent CPL.
- Early intervention for any signs of swelling or skin irritation.
- Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) We recommend that all prospective Gypsy Vanner owners research PSSM1 specifically in Gypsy Vanners, as research shows that Gypsy Vanners do not present the same way that lighter breeds do. Based on our experience, none of the Gypsy Vanners we have owned or worked with who carry one copy of the PSSM1 gene have shown any symptoms. However, we believe it is essential for each owner to educate themselves on PSSM1 in Gypsy Vanners and make decisions that align with their comfort level.
PSSM1 Study funded by the GVHS with the University of Kentucky.
- Expected genotype frequency for N/N: 77.44%
- Expected genotype frequency for N/PSSM1: 21.12%
- Expected genotype frequency for PSSM1/PSSM1: 1.44%
Until more study is completed, "Please advise your breeders and owners to wait until a scientific estimate of frequency is available and work together to decide how PSSM1 will be dealt with in your breed before valuable breeding stock is lost.”
-Kathryn T. Graves, PhD, Director University of Kentucky Animal Genetic Testing and Research Lab
Upon reviewing the results of this study, the GVHS has contacted the University of Minnesota Equine Center Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory, for their direction on the next steps to fully understand what this means for the Gypsy Vanner Breed.
- The following is a statement from the Animal Genetics lab located in Florida: We now have several examples of horses that have tested positive genetically with 2 copies of the mutated gene and have had episodes of tying up, muscle stiffness, sweating, and reluctance or inability to move. Muscle biopsies of these horses were collected during these episodes by veterinarians for further testing. In all cases, muscle biopsy results of affected horses showed a dramatic accumulation of excess glycogen and abnormal polysaccharides. All symptomatic horses were homozygous for the genetic variant. In this relatively small study (roughly 50 horses) all horses with 1 copy of the mutated gene did not exhibit any clear symptoms. However, several horses did show elevated levels of glycogen in muscle tissue samples compared to those horses that tested negative for the genetic mutation. In each case the symptomatic horse was properly managed through restricted diets and increased regular physical activity. Symptoms related to PSSM1 in all horses decreased or went away completely with in a relatively short period of time. We hope to be able to continue to evaluate all affected horses in the future to help us better understand the condition. Further work and more details will be published in the future but Animal Genetics wanted to get this out to people who have been waiting for information about PSSM1 in Draft breeds like the Gypsy horse as soon as we could. It is our opinion that in almost all cases the effects of PSSM1 in Gypsy horses can be managed if the condition is identified properly. Animal Genetics will continue to work with breeders and veterinarians to better understand the condition and identify additional genetic factors that may influence a horse with two copies of the mutated gene.
- Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS)
- Description: Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS) is a recessive genetic disease that primarily affects two relatively rare native UK pony breeds, the Dales and the Fell pony. FIS is caused by a single mutation in the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter gene (SLC5A3). This gene plays a vital role in the regulatory response in many tissues including lymphoid tissues. As much as 10% of all Fell ponies born each year suffer from FIS. This has put a strain on the long-term survival of this breed as well as the likely spread of FIS into other breeds. Most recently Animal Genetics has found the mutation that causes FIS in approximately 9% of Gypsy horse breeds in the US and Europe.
- Affected horses: Foals must have two copies of the mutated gene to be affected with FIS. Therefore, each parent must be a carrier of the mutated gene to have an affected foal. Affected foals appear healthy and normal at birth but begin to show signs of weakness, dull coat, and anorexia at 2-3 weeks. The first clinical signs of this disease include diarrhea, nasal discharge, poor growth, pale gums, and decreased appetite. Vision may be affected, presumably due to secondary bacterial infections. The mortality rate for foals affected by FIS is 100% despite intensive treatment. All FIS-affected foals generally die or are euthanized before they reach the age of 3 months.
- Carriers: FIS is an autosomal recessive trait, meaning a foal can only be affected if the foal inherits the disease from both parents. Parents that are carriers do not have any symptoms associated with FIS. However, they will pass on a copy of the defective gene to their offspring 50% of the time.
- Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (GVHS)- we recommend that you join the GVHS.
- BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP: Discount on registration fees, access to the online registry, eligibility for GVHS programs, receive the annual Vanner magazine, etc.
- Some of the offered GVHS Programs
- Vanner Advantage a program that provides awards to those who get their Gypsy Vanner out to events.
- Equine Trail Sports
- Evaluations
- GVHS Shows
- USDF All Breeds
- Youth
- Some of the offered GVHS Programs
- BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP: Discount on registration fees, access to the online registry, eligibility for GVHS programs, receive the annual Vanner magazine, etc.
- Breed Clubs Regional clubs like the New England Gypsy Horse Club, can provide valuable resources for new owners. These groups often create a community where new owners can learn from experienced Gypsy Vanner breeders and enthusiasts.
Come experience the magic of Gypsy Vanner horses at Sugar Hill Acres. Whether you’re a first-time owner or adding to your herd, our farm is the perfect place to find your ideal equine partner. Contact us to schedule a visit and meet our wonderful horses.