VB: Did you own horses before the Vanners and if so tell us about them. FG: Quarter horses and miniature horses. I used to barrel race the Quarter Horses and show the miniatures in hand and in cart.
VB: How many years have you owned Gypsy Vanners? FG: 6 years.
VB: How many do you own? FG: 3 stallions and 1 up and coming yearling colt, 15 mares, 5 2009 foals, and 1 gelding.
VB: How many foals do you usually produce per year? FG: 9 or 10
VB: Do you put a limit on how many foals you have a year and if so explain. FG: No limit.
VB: Do you have a favorite stallion or mare and is so why? FG: Moe. He was our first Gypsy Vanner and is so personable. Being around im is such a joy. He has the most expressive eyes, laid back attitude, and extremely loving personality.
VB: Do you feel any of your stallions or mares are prepotent in producing one thing or another? FG: No
VB: Do you ride or show your Gypsy Vanners and if so can you tell us about that and other activities. Do you prefer one discipline over another? FG: We trail ride, show, and participate in local expos and parades. We also have several 4H kids that come over that enjoy grooming and working with our horses.
VB: Do you train your own Vanners or do you have someone else train for you? Can you share some information on your training. FG: We do all of the basic training ourselves. Our foals are handled and worked with from birth on. They learn very quickly to lead, pick up their feet. stand quietly, load, bath and clip. We expose them to all types of situations and when they are ready for saddle, not much seems to phase them. When we do start saddle training we utilize the assistance of a trainer who lives only 10 miles from us. it works out great!
VB: Please tell us what you look for when you are purchasing a Gypsy Vanner? FG: Breed standard...breed standard....breed standard!
VB: Do you prefer to buy from an importer/trader or a private breeder in the USA and why?
FG: Prefer USA breeders so we can see the horse in person before purchasing plus get a more extensive health history.
VB: Does it make a difference to you on who you are buying from if they show their horses or not? FG: No
VB: How do you feel about the GVHS breeder/judges seminars and horse evaluations?
FG: It's a very good idea.
VB: What made you decide to register your horses and become members of the GVHS?
FG: We appreciate the GVHS promotion of the breed.
VB: Do you have a specific feeding program?
FG: Yes, good quality hay and a high fat, low starch grain ration.
VB: How do you feel about crossbreeding? FG: We personally don't crossbreed.
VB: Do you stand your stallions to the public? FG: No. We have many mares of our own to cover and try to adherre to a specific breed type to breed our boys to. It is just not feasible for us to stand them to the public at this time.
Vanner Banner: thank you to Feathered Gold Stables for answering our questions and allowing everyone to get some insight into their program. You can visit them at
www.featheredgold.com
This is the first of a series of interview articles with GVHS breeders and members. Feathered Gold Stables is located in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin and is owned and managed by Derek, Denise and Justin Krause.
