The curly coats which give these horses their name is due to a certain gene which is passed on from their parents. In addition to their coat, other hair (e.g. tail, mane, even eyelashes) can display curls. This is one of four unique features which make this breed popular:
1) Hypoallergenic. Curly horses appear to be unique in that people who suffer from horse allergies generally have a reduced reaction to curly horses or no reaction at all.
2) Appearance. The curls or waves in the coat of these horses gives them a unique appearance, which many people find attractive.
3) Feel. The soft feel of the coats make petting these horses especially enjoyable for both children and adults.
4) Behavior. These horses are known for being unusually calm and sensible, characteristics apparently bred into their bloodlines.
Although the genes which produce curly hair are relatively uncommon among horses, they are found in many different types of horse, from miniatures to standard sized to draft horses. Curly horses also vary in color and build.
The type of curl varies from horse to horse. It can be large and heavy, or small, or even fine pin curls, or waves instead of curls. Sometimes the coat is straight as in a common horse, in which case the horse is identified as a curly horse only by the fact that its parents were curlies and that it displays the other characteristics (e.g. hypoallergenic).
Consequently, there is tremendous variety in this group of horses. Curly breeders and associations are still working on defining the breed standard and implementing a breeding program based on this standard, in order that curly horses can be bred towards a standard type (one of the requirements for being recognized as an official breed). Therefore, if you thinking of buying a curly horse, the first thing to keep in mind is that there is no standard appearance for curly horses, so you need to look around to determine the type (size, color and amount of curl) which most appeals to you.
Before buying a curly, keep in mind that the coat curl changes with season (curl is greater in winter) and age. The degree of change depends on the individual horse and its bloodline, with some horses remaining curly all year round and others having straight hair in summer. Curly horses also tend to have shorter and thinner hair in manes and tail (somewhat like the Appaloosa breed), although the extent of this also varies greatly depending on horse and bloodline. Therefore, it is useful before choosing a horse to see it in both winter and summer (ask the seller for photos). It is also useful to look at other horses of the same bloodline but different ages to see the expected changes as the horse ages.
If buying a curly because of the hypoallergenic qualities of these horses, remember that this varies from person to person and from horse to horse. Most people benefit with most curlies, but this is not universal. Consequently, before committing to a purchase, one should test the specific person with the specific horse. Take medical advice on how to test, especially if you have had strong allergic reactions before.
The curly horse is known by a number of names, such as: Bashkir Curlies, North American Curly Horses, or American Bashkir Curlies.
1) Hypoallergenic. Curly horses appear to be unique in that people who suffer from horse allergies generally have a reduced reaction to curly horses or no reaction at all.
2) Appearance. The curls or waves in the coat of these horses gives them a unique appearance, which many people find attractive.
3) Feel. The soft feel of the coats make petting these horses especially enjoyable for both children and adults.
4) Behavior. These horses are known for being unusually calm and sensible, characteristics apparently bred into their bloodlines.
Although the genes which produce curly hair are relatively uncommon among horses, they are found in many different types of horse, from miniatures to standard sized to draft horses. Curly horses also vary in color and build.
The type of curl varies from horse to horse. It can be large and heavy, or small, or even fine pin curls, or waves instead of curls. Sometimes the coat is straight as in a common horse, in which case the horse is identified as a curly horse only by the fact that its parents were curlies and that it displays the other characteristics (e.g. hypoallergenic).
Consequently, there is tremendous variety in this group of horses. Curly breeders and associations are still working on defining the breed standard and implementing a breeding program based on this standard, in order that curly horses can be bred towards a standard type (one of the requirements for being recognized as an official breed). Therefore, if you thinking of buying a curly horse, the first thing to keep in mind is that there is no standard appearance for curly horses, so you need to look around to determine the type (size, color and amount of curl) which most appeals to you.
Before buying a curly, keep in mind that the coat curl changes with season (curl is greater in winter) and age. The degree of change depends on the individual horse and its bloodline, with some horses remaining curly all year round and others having straight hair in summer. Curly horses also tend to have shorter and thinner hair in manes and tail (somewhat like the Appaloosa breed), although the extent of this also varies greatly depending on horse and bloodline. Therefore, it is useful before choosing a horse to see it in both winter and summer (ask the seller for photos). It is also useful to look at other horses of the same bloodline but different ages to see the expected changes as the horse ages.
If buying a curly because of the hypoallergenic qualities of these horses, remember that this varies from person to person and from horse to horse. Most people benefit with most curlies, but this is not universal. Consequently, before committing to a purchase, one should test the specific person with the specific horse. Take medical advice on how to test, especially if you have had strong allergic reactions before.
The curly horse is known by a number of names, such as: Bashkir Curlies, North American Curly Horses, or American Bashkir Curlies.
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