Gypsy Vanners are a young breed of horse with strikingly beautiful features.
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A Gypsy Vanner mare and foal. The breed is known for its showy abundance of hair: mane, tailand feather on the legs.
Photo courtesy Leslie Doerr
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A Gypsy Vanner foal. The breed is relatively new and originated in Britain, with the gypsy, or Romany, people.
Photo courtesy Leslie Doerr
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On her farm near Adel, Iowa, Doerr has several Gypsy Vanners, along with other breeds of horses.
Photo courtesy Leslie Doerr
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Their mild disposition and kindness makes Gypsy Vanners favorites of horse lovers.
Photo courtesy Leslie Doerr
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A Gypsy Vanner’s mane braided into a fishnet braid, a braid that is stays in better than traditional braids. Doerr often braids her Gypsy Vanners’ manes to keep them cooler in the summer and to keep them from getting “wind knots” when the wind blows.
Photo courtesy Leslie Doerr
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Freelance writer Ruth Nicolaus loves the Great Plains and its people. She lives in eastern Nebraska. Reach her at editorial@midwestmessenger.com .
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