Colic in horses
Colic is a phenomenon that many horse owners fear. You can read all about it in our veterinary article here.
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Tinker
The Tinker is a striking and much-loved horse breed, instantly recognisable by its robust build, long hair on the legs, and full mane and tail. They are most commonly seen in piebald and skewbald coat colours.
Originally bred by Irish and British travelling communities, the Tinker is known for its reliability, strength and calm temperament. This makes it an ideal horse for both beginner and experienced riders. Thanks to its level-headed nature and social character, the Tinker quickly feels at ease in a wide range of environments, from relaxed outdoor rides to driving work.
With its broad chest, strong legs and smooth movement, the Tinker is suitable for many different disciplines. Whether you are looking for a loyal family horse, a dependable leisure partner or an eye-catching presence in the ring, the Tinker offers a unique combination of charm, strength and stability that has made it a favourite worldwide.
Characteristics
Country of origin:
Ireland and Great Britain.
Also known as:
Irish Cob, Gypsy Vanner
Body build:
Robust, muscular, compact build with a broad chest and strong legs.
Colours and coat types:
Often piebald or skewbald, with a dense, long coat and a full mane, tail and feathering.
Weight:
500 - 700 kg
Height:
145 - 160 cm
Life Expectancy:
20 - 25 Years
Health risks:
Hoof problems, overweight, mud fever
Suitable for:
Recreational riding, shows, light work and driving activities, family and companion horse.
Character profile
Eager to learn
Trainability
Social
Energy
Movement/gaits
Temperament
Stress resilience
Strength and muscle development
Concentration
Child-friendly
Populair products for the Tinker
Origin of the Tinker
The Tinker originates from Ireland and Great Britain. The breed was developed by nomadic travelling communities, often referred to as the Romani or Travellers, who needed a strong, reliable and friendly horse to pull their wagons. These horses had to be powerful enough for heavy loads, while remaining calm and dependable in traffic and under changing conditions.
Through careful selection, a horse emerged with a robust build, a striking piebald or skewbald coat, and long, full feathering that is characteristic of the breed. The Tinker was valued not only for its strength, but also for its gentle temperament and social nature, making it well suited to the family-oriented lifestyle of the travelling communities.
It was not until the late twentieth century that the breed was officially recognised and recorded in various studbooks, which helped make the Tinker known worldwide. Today, it is a popular family and leisure horse that still carries its origins as a reliable working partner in its character.
Temperament of the Tinker
The Tinker is known for its friendly, sociable and reliable temperament. It is a calm, well-balanced horse that easily forms a bond with its carer and responds well to consistent, gentle handling. Tinkers are eager to learn and have a strong willingness to work, which makes them versatile for leisure riding, light sport, driving and family life.
The breed combines strength with a steady temperament, making it suitable for riders of all ages. Their patience and adaptability make them ideal as a family horse, while their willingness to learn and trainability make them suitable for a wide range of disciplines and activities. The Tinker’s gentle character contributes to its popularity worldwide and makes it a favourite with both experienced and beginner riders.
Everything about the Tinker
Is a Tinker always piebald or skewbald?
The Tinker is often associated with its striking coloured coat, but this does not mean that all Tinkers are always coloured. The term coloured refers to a coat with two or more colours, usually in a clear pattern. In the Tinker, this most commonly appears as piebald black and white or skewbald brown and white patterns, often combined with eye-catching white feathering and a full mane and tail.
Alongside coloured coats, solid colours also occur, such as black, bay, chestnut or even grey, although these are seen less frequently. The coloured patterns developed historically because the travelling communities who bred the Tinker selected horses that were not only strong and reliable, but also had a recognisable appearance to distinguish their livestock and horses.
The striking colour pattern of the Tinker adds to the charm of the breed and has made it popular worldwide. It is important to know that the coloured coat has no influence on the horse’s character or performance. Tinkers remain just as strong, sociable and versatile regardless of their colour.The Tinker is often associated with its striking coloured coat, but this does not mean that all Tinkers are always coloured. The term coloured refers to a coat with two or more colours, usually in a clear pattern. In the Tinker, this most commonly appears as piebald black and white or skewbald brown and white patterns, often combined with eye-catching white feathering and a full mane and tail.
Alongside coloured coats, solid colours also occur, such as black, bay, chestnut or even grey, although these are seen less frequently. The coloured patterns developed historically because the travelling communities who bred the Tinker selected horses that were not only strong and reliable, but also had a recognisable appearance to distinguish their livestock and horses.
The striking colour pattern of the Tinker adds to the charm of the breed and has made it popular worldwide. It is important to know that the coloured coat has no influence on the horse’s character or performance. Tinkers remain just as strong, sociable and versatile regardless of their colour.
How much does a Tinker cost?
The price of a Tinker usually ranges between €2,000 and €30,000, depending on age, training, lineage and colour. Well-trained or rarely coloured Tinkers can be even more expensive. Buyers should also take monthly costs into account, such as livery, feed and veterinary care; the purchase price is only the beginning.
How old does a Tinker get?
A Tinker lives on average between 20 and 25 years, although some horses may live longer with optimal care and good living conditions. This robust breed is known for its strong health and durable build, which contributes to a long lifespan.
Proper care is essential to keep a horse healthy. This includes a balanced diet, daily exercise through turnout or paddock time combined with appropriate training, regular veterinary check-ups, dental care and hoof maintenance.
What should I look out for when buying a Tinker?
When buying a Tinker, it is important to pay attention to health, temperament and training. Check the skin, legs and hooves, as the thick feathering and socks can be prone to skin conditions. Also look at the horse’s conformation and way of going to help prevent potential joint problems.
The temperament should match your experience. Tinkers are usually friendly and reliable, but they can also be stubborn. Watch the horse under saddle and during groundwork to see how it responds to new situations and other horses.
Also check the horse’s training and experience, its housing and feeding routine, and ask for a recent veterinary and farrier check. A pre-purchase vetting is recommended to be sure you are buying a healthy and suitable horse
Handling and care of the Tinker
The Tinker is a friendly, sociable and reliable horse known for its calm temperament and versatility. When handling a Tinker, it is important to work in a consistent and calm manner, as Tinkers are sensitive to voice and body language. They learn quickly and easily build a strong bond with their carer, which makes them suitable for both beginner and experienced riders.
Activities in which the Tinker excels:
- Recreational riding: ideal for outdoor rides and longer hacks thanks to their steady stride and calm nature.
- Driving: due to their strength and balance, Tinkers are very well suited for light driving work.
- Light dressage: easy to train and eager to learn, allowing them to perform basic dressage exercises.
- Family and children’s horse: sociable, reliable and calm, making them an excellent fit for family life.
- Groundwork and training: curious and willing to learn, which means they respond quickly to groundwork and training methods.
What you need to know about caring for a Tinker
The Tinker is robust and strong, but because of its full mane, tail, feathering and thick coat, it requires extra attention. Daily care includes brushing the coat and feathering, checking and caring for the hooves, and keeping the stable, paddock or pasture clean.
A balanced diet is important to prevent overweight, while sufficient roughage remains essential for healthy digestion. Daily exercise, turnout and appropriate training help maintain muscles, fitness and stamina. Regular veterinary check-ups, dental care and hoof maintenance are crucial to keep the Tinker healthy and vital.
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