OCALA, Fla. — Deep in the heart of Florida’s horse country, one farm is offering more than just beautiful pastures and photogenic horses — it’s giving guests a cultural and historical experience unlike any other.
What You Need To Know
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in Ocala is the first U.S. home of the rare Gypsy Vanner horse breed.
Visitors can take guided tours that provide education, history, and hands-on animal interaction.
The farm’s founder imported the first Gypsy Vanner after encountering the breed in Europe in 1995.
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is the first in the United States to introduce the rare and striking Gypsy Vanner horse breed to American soil.
Known for their feathered hooves, flowing manes, and gentle temperament, these horses were originally bred by British and Irish travelers — often referred to as gypsies to pull their ornate caravans.
“This amazing breed that Dennis has been preserving for over 30 years now. These are amazing, beautiful creatures, and a lot of people that come on these tours aren’t even familiar with the Gypsy Vanner breed,” said Eileen Mahoney, who works with the horses daily at the farm.
Founded by Dennis Thompson and his wife, the farm is home to more than 30 Gypsy Vanner horses, each with a unique story and heritage.
Thompson gives weekly tours where he not only introduces visitors to the horses but also shares the journey that brought them here.
“My late wife and I, in 1995, saw one horse and learned it belonged to a gypsy,” Thompson told a tour group.
“Spent that day in a gypsy camp and basically became obsessed.”
The farm has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence four times and remains one of the top-rated attractions in Central Florida. (Spectrum News)
That encounter sparked a decades-long mission to preserve the breed and honor the culture behind it.
For Thompson, it’s not just about the horses — it’s about correcting long-held misconceptions about the Romani people.
“They don’t read and write — that is by choice because they don’t want to lose their culture,” he explained. “So, they have been treated with prejudice for a thousand years.”
During the tour, visitors meet horses like “Little Big Man,” whom Thompson describes as “a grandson of Kushti Bok,” one of the original horses he imported.
Guests can also interact with mules and exotic birds, like colorful macaws, all while walking the picturesque grounds.
Visitors from all over the country have made the trip — some with a deep love for horses, others simply curious.
“Yes, I’ve grown up with horses. I used to be a jumper — and then I got old,” joked Bonnie Mickley, a visitor from Georgia.
“It’s so wonderful that people like Dennis are saving this animal,” added fellow visitor Chris Connolly.
Thompson’s passion is simple.
“When people come to Gypsy Gold, I hope they get a better understanding of the culture and a better understanding of the horses that they envisioned.” said Thompson
The farm has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence four times and remains one of the top-rated attractions in Central Florida.
For more, visit the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.