Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour

Overview

Gypsy Gold is home to America's first Gypsy Vanner Horses and the most popular farm tour in Florida. Learn about the colorful British Gypsy culture and meet dozens of their magical Gypsy Vanner Horses. The story of Gypsy Gold and the Gypsy Vanner Horses is one of the most fascinating and romantic stories in the annals of equine history.

City: Orlando

Mon 18 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Mon 18 Nov

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Photo opportunity with one of our Gypsy Vanner Horses

Walking tour

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Children 5 and under free

What To Expect

The Gypsy Gold Farm

our first forty five minutes is an educational journey conducted by Dennis Thompson, the discoverer and founder of the Gypsy Vanner Horse breed. Dennis and Erin will then introduce you to a Gypsy Vanner stallion and explain the envisioned look and details unique to the Vanner breed. Your second hour is a walk among horse filled paddocks lined with ancient oaks laden with the romantic Spanish moss of the south. On your walk you will meet beautiful stallions and mares and friendly Gypsy Vanner Horse babies. Your Gypsy Gold Farm Tour ends with a picture opportunity with an incredible Gypsy Vanner Horse stallion and a visit to the Gypsy Gold gift shop.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (269)

RGS50

Aug 2021

The Gypsy Vanner horses are truly unique and the few we saw were very beautiful. The story of how they came to Ocala is certainly interesting … Three Stars because... This is not a farm tour, it’s an outdoor classroom lecture about the life and times of Dennis, the owner…that droned on (and on) for an hour and 20 mins … He’s proud of his life and accomplishments, I get that – but this lecture is way too long given that this is a 2-hour event. Part of the remaining 40 minutes was watching people’s children get their picture taken sitting on a horse (snooze-fest if you don’t have children) During the lecture, children were given pages to color. We saw photos of beautiful, groomed horses (sort-of—I was in the back they were 8X10 photos) It would have been better if- when he was describing what a Gypsy Horse looked like (vs its imposters) if we could have seen an actual Gypsy Horse. The ‘tour’ part of the presentation was walking around the three corrals we could see from our seats – in two of them were donkeys- during this part he re-iterated information from his speech...and let folks who knew to bring carrots feed the animals. Three stars (vs two or one) because they have some amazing parrots there- they were the highlight of my experience at this farm. Not at all what I was expecting ... and I think Dennis has done this presentation a few too many times.. I would have enjoyed learning about the horses while seeing them, but just talking about them -- meh.

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Dear RGS 50, when we get a review like yours we loose sleep ( we really do) We loose sleep because we work very hard to give you the same experience as the almost 800 five star reviews that came before your review. Let me respond by starting with , Save the $35.00. Beyond being the #1 Thing To Do in Ocala Florida #3 of Visitor Favorites in Central Florida with Harry Potter #1 and in the top 10% of activities for Trip Advisor in the world, Gypsy Gold is the least expensive Thing To Do that involves horses in Ocala Florida, a horse capitol of the world. In the first sentence you express how truly unique and beautiful the Gypsies Vanner Horse is and express how interesting their story is. The outdoor classroom about the life and times of Dennis Thompson is how you learned about the certainly interesting story . While, once in a while we get the too long, its the only complaint we get ( and children getting their picture taken) . The story of Gypsy Gold, i.e. Dennis Thompson is a story that many can't get enough of so they return multiple times to absorb it all. its, either I could listen to you forever or you talk too much, it depends on how interested the visitor is in learning. I will take a chance and bet that you have never and will never as long as you live meet someone who discovered an unrecognized breed of domestic animal developed by one of the most colorful least understood societies on earth. Thats what makes the tour special, its a once in a lifetime experience. That said next week I have a videographer coming to film the tour so it can be canned and last a specific period of time with improved visuals. Today, we are a horse farm with breeding birthing, feeding cleaning, fixing and replacing going on daily.The tours are a glimpse into that life and more. There are three people who work here and only two if one is talking, so we do our best to have a horse cleaned up for visitors to see and touch but sometimes it's impossible. Charging more can cure that problem. You saw probably 30 Vanner horses and they were all developed by a culture commonly known as Gypsies. Do you remember on the tour I taught that If you say Gypsy horse you will not be describing their breed 80% of time ? Gypsy horses in general are raised for the restaurant business in Belgium Holland and France. The discovery was that there was a vision born soon after World war II for British Gypsies to create a special horse with a specific look to pull their colorful caravans. That vision was unknown until six decades later my late wife and I noticed a horse on the border of wales and England. Thats the Dennis Thompson life story learned on the tours. There are twenty one corrals (paddocks) at Gypsy Gold and you walked around over half of them. The ones you mention that contained donkeys , actually contained mules and donkeys and not just any mules , they were pregnant mules and mules can't get pregnant, remember. Do you remember the history of Mammoth Mules and how they relate to George Washington and the King Of Spain or the reason they have bells on their tales ? None of that was in the tour, it was only on the walking part. RGS50, you did learn many things about the horses while seeing them and if you don't remember please return as my guest ( no charge) with a mind set to listen and learn. When you do you will become another five star visitor. Thanks RGS50, Dennis

X2062UMsarag

Jul 2021

This is a beautiful horse farm and experience for horse lovers of all ages.Dennis has a remarkable story on the beautiful and unique Gypsy Vanner breed, and his part in bringing the breed to the United States. Our grandchildren loved petting the horses and seeing the many parrots at the farm.

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you so much X2062UMsarag, we love it when everyone leaves happy, thanks for your great review. Dennis and Erin

cruzingrl

Jul 2021

The tour of Gypsy Gold Farm started with an approximate 1-1/4 hour talk on the history of the Gypsy Vanner breed. We were seated outside in mostly shade on a hot, buggy day. There was bug spray available to use though. Dennis Thompson is an excellent speaker and captured my attention the entire time. Not so for my 8 year old grandson, though. Water and ice pops are offered. After the talk, Dennis escorted us around the various corrals and provided additional information about the horses. There is a small gift shop at the end of the tour. This farm has big plans for additional experiences which they hope will be completed within the next 2 or 3 years and I look forward to returning at that time.

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Dear Cruzingrl , thanks for your nice review. We sit outside because of covid and we do our best to keep people in the shade. If the sun is on them we ask them to move to a shady area and we have fans blowing on everyone in addition to bug spray. It is an outdoor experience on a farm but we make it as city comfortable as we can. Our tour is highly educational so, we give children something to color during the first part and then usually sit them on a horse for a keep sake photo before they leave. They are always smiling when the tour is over. Do you remember me telling you that we are creating what we call a Klinen Zu for children to go during the first segment of the tour. Its a word Zoo where children learn the importance of using kind and curtious words. just yesterday I was visiting with a professor of child psychology to develop that program. We don't charge for 7 and under now but will need to once we develop that program, it will take people to manage it. Bored children bother me a lot but they always have big smiles when they leave. It will be awesome for every age every minute when we complete the visions in our heads. Dennis

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