Why Certification?
Certification has been created not only to protect the integrity of the horse, but also to provide a sense of confidence among consumers. It will protect against unethical and unsatisfactory breeding, trading, and importing of Vanner horses. So what exactly does the certification mean? A certified horse is guaranteed to meet the standards of its specific breed; meaning that the horse is what the breed was envisioned to be. Most importantly make sure that the veterinarian is certified so there is no question in the validity of the health inspection. By having your horse certified it increases the integrity of it’s breed as well as the horse’s value, prestige, recognition, and buyer confidence insuring the breed’s look and genetic health is forever.
The Goal
The goal of certification is to create a network of dedicated breeders, owners, and importers that are committed to preserving the true Vanner Breed. This network will provide a valid source to the public, helping them find owners, breeders, and importers as well as giving them the assurance that their horse is an authentic Gypsy Vanner. Why is this so important? In a day and age where internet sales are so prevalent, certification will provide consumers with the confidence that their horse is not only healthy, but a real Gypsy Vanner. Unfortunately, today there are people who unethically breed, trade, and import horses labeled as Gypsy Vanners, but are not of the true breed. Most of these people are not knowledgeable enough of the breed to know their mistakes. Certification will prevent this from happening to you, guaranteeing the integrity of your horse, a real Gypsy Vanner. (See problems for more details.)
Expectations of Certified owners, breeders, and importers
As a Certified Gypsy Vanner Horse owner, breeder, and importer you are expected to:
(To maintain the integrity of the breed we must not erode from established values).
How to get certified
First a registered Gypsy Vanner Horse must pass an AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) - based veterinarian inspection. Your veterinarian of choice is invited to have their name appear as an inspector of your horse and will be listed as a certified veterinarian on certifiedhorse.com.
Second, photos of your horse are to be submitted along with the veterinarian’s inspection report and will be juried by the Founder and former President of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (US), and current President of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society (UK), Mr. Dennis Thompson.
Third, your horse will be analyzed in seven areas of the breed standard scoring each area from one to seven points in half point increments. For example a perfect score would be 49. In order for your horse to be certified you must receive a score of at least 46. A ½ point will be deduced for each parent without DNA.
And finally, once you are certified you are committed to:
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Provide consistent and accurate breed information on your farm websites and advertisements.
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Assist in alleviating confusion by only registering Vanner horses with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, NO dual registering.
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Create a supportive atmosphere for other Certified Vanner breeders.
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Breed certified Vanners with only Gypsy Vanner Horses, NO cross breeding.
Certified Horse membership is not transferable with new ownership. Another check by a veterinarian is not required; however, the new owner must join and commit to the goals of the Certified Horse program in order to continue the use of the certification mark as well as to be included in the directory.
The Problems...
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Only 20% of the horses raised by Gypsies are selectively bred and are a breed.
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80% are raised as a commodity like cattle. They're referred to, by Gypsies, as 'knacker', 'trade’, or 'export' horses and are priced accordingly by weight.
In general, most domestic breeders do not supply the Vanner breed to the North American public; however, traders/importers on the internet do. The fact that only 20% of Gypsies’ horses are truly the breed puts the consumer in danger of not receiving an authentic Gypsy Vanner Horse. This fact alone has enabled many importers to trick the public. So where did the problems begin?
When the breed was first introduced to America, it was a huge hit. There was a great demand for the horses in which the domestic breeders could not meet. This is where the importers stepped in. At the time, importers did not understand nor have great knowledge of the breed and therefore bought relatively inexpensive trade horses, presenting them as the Gypsy Vanner breed. So how where they able to pull this off? The importers would be trading very young stock, and at a young age the Vanners aren’t as recognizable, making it easy to fool everyone.
Today, most importers understand the difference between the breed and the trade type, but continue to offer both. That is why it is so important to certify and receive a certified horse.
Why are certified horses only to be registered with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society?
The fact that only 20% of the Gypsies’ horses being bred are of the true breed is reason enough. The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, since their establishment in 1996, has been working hard to protect this integrity of the Vanner horses. In April of 2003 the certification system made a step to improve the process. Breed enthusiasts gathered and voted to disband all names and registries except the name Gypsy Vanner Horse and the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society. Thirty days later, a person in that room established another breed society by another name. Many of these other breed societies are not qualified to be providing certification. People enter the breed world without the proper knowledge and proclaim themselves under several names. This only ends in a marketing ploy for the horses, not in the safety and validity of their breed. Registering only with the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society prevents any of these false classifications. As a well-known society, it will create a secure place for consumers to be confident that they will obtain an authentic Vanner horse.
The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society was created in North America, with a strong base of knowledge and focused goals, only intending to establish a secure place for the breed. The society has been doing very well. The goal of the Certified Horse program is to directly compliment the GVHS.
Cautions of the Internet
The internet has forever changed how we buy and sell anything, even horses. We no longer deal strictly with face to face business; so it’s hard to differentiate between good and bad horse traders and breeders; let alone the fear of what you see isn’t what you get. That is why The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society has established itself. The society will help you to steer clear of those influential traders and breeders who are doing you wrong. The certification program will clear up all confusion acting as your firewall to all dangers, ensuring you get exactly what you want. Just look for the mark of approval!
Mark of Approval
The certification mark, that is easily recognizable, is a sign that this is the real deal! When consumers, traders, breeders, etc see the mark they will be confident that they are receiving a real Gypsy Vanner Horse. The mark can be recognized as a 16-spoke wheel, representing the fact that there were 16 Gypsy Vanner Horses first brought to America. The actual symbol is known as a chakra, which means "wheel" in Sanskrit. This emblem comes from India where Gypsies originated representing seven levels of perfection; it is believed that when all of your chakras are in order you have reached seventh heaven or perfection. The wheel honors the Romany Gypsies' nomadic lifestyle and Indian heritage. As to it’s relation to horse certification, the mark symbolizes the seven points of the Gypsy Vanner breed standard. This symbol is painlessly branded on the hoof of Certified Gypsy Vanner Horse. Additionally - or as an alternative - your horse can wear a Certified Horse medallion on his or her bridle or halter. So make sure to look for the symbol, a sure sign of a real certified, genuine Gypsy Vanner Horse! |
