Would this concern you?

[Lois Lame]

Are you in Australia or the US, OP? (your pictures look suspiciously sunny).

Well-spotted. I didn't even notice.
(And I love your definition of a pure gypsy cob.)

 

[shortstuff99]

I feel I should point out the UK also has a stud book called the Traditional Gypsy Cob Association (TGCA).

 

[Wishfilly]

I think the black skin around his nostrils does create a slightly unusual illusion, but I think they look normal? I do think cobs usually have smaller nostrils than some other types of horse, but I didn't know there was a reason for it.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Size of nostrils wouldn’t be top of my list when viewing a horse! Is that the only issue - buy him.

 

[Hobo2]

Mudfukkle you have reminded me of when I saw my first Baskin Curly Horse. Reading up about them a small nostril was a feature as they came from a place that experienced -40 temps.

He looks a real cutie.

 

[cosmic389]

Thanks everyone! I feel like I'm loosing my sanity at times, so can't wait for the horse search to be over haha.

Yes I'm in Australia. We have a gypsy horse register here. Pure bred means both parents are gypsy cobs. A lot of the bloodlines here are imported from UK.

 

[lauragreen85]

He looks lovely! wouldnt be concerned

 

[I'm Dun]

I'd be more concerned about the enormous risk of PSSM and would be insisting on a test being done before I bought any cobby type.

 

[cosmic389]

I'd be more concerned about the enormous risk of PSSM and would be insisting on a test being done before I bought any cobby type.

He's from a reputable stud and tested negative for PSSM1

 

[cjwchez]

he is the cutest !!!

 

[9tails]

I would be preparing myself more for the constant care of feathers, mites and mallenders than his nostrils!

He has a very sweet face though and I can't resist a good cob!

The nostrils have highlighted the white nose so add sunburn to your list!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

looks ok to me.

i love his ears, would say with ears like that he have a great temperament

they are almost araby or big horsey and his nostrils look a bit araby

My Arab's have quite big nostrils

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

My Arab's have quite big nostrils

That's because they like prancing about snorting and blowing and showing off how magnificent they are - hence the big nostrils!

 

[I'm Dun]

He's from a reputable stud and tested negative for PSSM1

That is amazing and I am delighted. We just dont seem to bother over here and it drives me mad.

 

[Pen]

My main concern if I were to buy another feathered cob would be what is under the feather - any signs of CPL - i.e. any thickened skin, skin folds, lesions.

 

[Belmont]

This has just given me flashbacks to studying equine conformation at uni. Nostril size was definitely something we studied, I remember comparing horses and became a bit obsessed with studying every horse I met, including their nostrils! Unfortunately I can't find my old research.
He looks a lovely boy though, tell your friend to go for it if he ticks the boxes.

 

[snowangel5]

Didn't realise nostril size came under conformation

Nor did i until now

 

[cosmic389]

My main concern if I were to buy another feathered cob would be what is under the feather - any signs of CPL - i.e. any thickened skin, skin folds, lesions.

We checked and he's all good! Had mites once but it cleared up.

 

[cosmic389]

This has just given me flashbacks to studying equine conformation at uni. Nostril size was definitely something we studied, I remember comparing horses and became a bit obsessed with studying every horse I met, including their nostrils! Unfortunately I can't find my old research.
He looks a lovely boy though, tell your friend to go for it if he ticks the boxes.

Yes it is mentioned under head when I was reading about GC conformation.