Curly horse

Curly Horse
Bashkir Curly
Distinguishing features:	curly coat, mane and tail.
Alternative names:	American Bashkir Curly
Country of origin:	North America
Common nicknames:	Curly
Breed standards

A Curly is a breed of horse. Curlies, also called Bashkir Curlies, American Bashkir Curlies, and North American Curly Horses, come in all sizes, colors, and body types but all carry a gene for a unique curly coat of hair. [1]

A Curly in full winter coat.

Traits

Coat, Mane and Tail

The unique gene that gives Curlies their curly hair (which is most obvious with their winter coat) can be expressed Minimally (horse exhibits curly hair inside ears, at fetlocks, and a kinky mane and tail), Maximally (horse exhibits curl all over body, has extremely dreadlocked mane, and has curly eyelashes and guard hairs), Extreme (very tight, extreme curls, but when they shed out for summer can shed entirely bald) or any variation in between. Because the trait can be carried heterozygously, some purebred Curlies exhibit no curl at all. (Called "smooth coat" curlies)[2]

Curlies have split manes and are not braided or clipped when shown. Curlies are most commonly chestnut colored, but can be found in every color from standard bays, blacks, and greys, to appaloosa markings; from pinto patterns to dilute colors such as buckskin, grulla, and cremello.[3] [4]

Hypoallergenic

Characteristic Winter Coat of a Curly

Closeup of Curly Coat in Winter

Curlies are acclaimed to be the only hypoallergenic horse breed; most people allergic to horses can handle Curly Horses without suffering any allergic reaction. Research indicates a protein is missing from the fur of Curlies which may be what causes allergic reactions to horses in allergy suffers, but the study was never officially published. Members of the Curly Community are working towards funding more research on this. [5]

Build

The Curly has a characteristic long stride & bold movement. They have tough hooves and exceptional endurance. Most Curlies stand between 14 and 15 hands, though they can range from Miniature horses to Draft horses (Only allowed in one registry).

Origin

The origin of the Curly Horse is a mystery. It is highly debated in the Curly community, but research is mostly still in progress. Disagreements of the Curly horse's history result in confusion of what the breed is, and what it should be called. ABCR members prefer "Bashkir Curly" while ICHO members lean towards "North American Curly". The addition or removal of 'Bashkir' to the breed name is highly debated. [6]

It's said Curly horses were documented in Asian artwork as early as 161 AD. Charles Darwin documented curly horses in South America in the early 1800s and the early Sioux Indians regarded curly horses as sacred mounts for chiefs and medicine men. Native American artwork shows Curlies carrying warriors in the Battle of Little Bighorn. ^{[citation needed]}

Another theory is that the origin of the breed is Iberian. [7]

Registries and Organizations

The American Bashkir Curly Registry (ABCR) opened in 1971 with only 21 horses; as of May 2005 there were just over 4,000 Bashkir Curlies in the world, primarily in North America. They are the original standing Curly Registry, and have a closed stud book. [8]

The International Curly Horse Organization (ICHO) began in 2000 and now has over 800 horses registered in its North American Curly Horse Registry (as of Oct. 2006). Horses within this registry are not referred to as "Bashkir Curlies". They assert that the Bashkir Horse is an entirely different breed, and that the "American Curly" is a range horse from the North American west. They base their breed standards on this, and felt it imperative to continue registration of the wild curly horses still found today on the western ranges. [9]

Canadian Curly Horse Association (CCHA) formed in 1993. This group is focused on community events in the Curly world, and spreading knowledge of the Curly horse. [10]

Show Horse & Companion Mount

Though eye catching and unusual in the show ring, Curlies have the movement, endurance, and heart to excel in competition. Several Curlies have made a name for themselves at upper levels of dressage and show jumping, but countless others have proved the reliable mount and patient teacher for the weekend competitor. Curlies are characteristically quiet, level headed horses that make excellent first horses for supervised beginner riders. Curlies are forgiving and adaptable and many have carried horse-allergic riders from raw beginner to achieving the once-believed-impossible dream of showing horses. ^{[citation needed]}

External links & References

• American Bashkir Curly Registry
• International Curly Horse Organization
• Canadian Curly Horse Association
• Curly Horse Pedigree Database
• 1000's of photographs of Bashkir Curlies from Noblewood Farm
• Curly Horse Country, Fun, Informative Resource site!

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