Mysterious American Curly Horse: Gentle, Calm, Athletic and Hypoallergenic

The Curly breed horse originated in the United States. It is also called North American Curly Horse or American Bashkir Curly. The term Bashkir comes from the Russian who wants to name a breed of Siberian horses that also has curly hair.

  

CURLY horses

Curly horses have been a craze for twenty years in Europe, after a period of decline in the mid-twentieth century that raised fears of their disappearance on the American continent. Indeed, these curly horses are hypoallergenic, causing at worst only a moderate allergic reaction, depending on the type of animal and the predisposition of the allergic person. In some cases, Curlys could contribute to some desensitization. Out of an estimated world population of 12000 horses, 9 to 10000 Curlys are recorded in the world and nearly 2500 are bred in Europe, including more than 900 in France. In addition to being hypoallergenic, the Curly has other assets: its hardiness (frugality, robustness), its mental (courageous, calm, and docile), and its kindness makes it an excellent 'pet horse' while being, for the confirmed rider, a valiant sport horse. It is the ideal mount for children, fearful people, or the disabled and is used in equine therapy with great success. Depending on their conformation, the Curlys also achieve good results in various disciplines such as western riding, dressage, CSO, or even endurance.

The origin of the Curlys is still mysterious. The Curlys of Nevada would be the product of crosses between Lokai horses and mustangs, while the Curly of Dakota would have as ancestors Spanish curly horses. In 1930, wild curly mares were crossed with Quarter-Horses, Arabs, and Appaloosa from the Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Fox Trotter... These varied origins probably explain the variability of curling within the Curly breed.

In terms of genetics, the hypothesis defended by the International Curly Horse Organization (ICHO, American reference registry) is that of two genes, one dominant C with complete penetrance, the other recessive R with incomplete penetrance, whose different combinations 

Alleles would explain the different phenotypes, ranging from stiff hairs (straight) to very curly hairs (micro curl) through a simple ripple or naked horses in summer (bald).

CURLY HISTORY

In 1804, the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, welcomed 6 Curlies (at least 6 curly horses) from Sweden 

(4 mares and 2 stallions including 2 Bai, 2 Alezan, and 2 Isabelle). It is said that in 1806, Napoleon introduced one of his mares and the stallion Alezan to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The other Curly Horses that remained in Austria were produced until 1820.

Today, in the reserves of the Natural History Museum in Vienna, you can see one of the descendants of these curly horses... Or curly horses, naturalized in 1814, it is a male palomino, bearing the name of 'CURLY HORSE'... Were these horses curly? Or Bashkir, long confused. As a reminder, the Bashkir comes from Russia, from the region of Bashkir (or Bashkort), frizzy horse, mostly roan dress with mullet stripes and zebra limbs and chest or solid dress...

 

Mysterious origins...

 

It has long been mistakenly thought that curly came from Russia's mountainous Bashkir region and migrated to Canada via the Bering Strait in the late 19th century. It was therefore logically named Bashkir Curly. However, at the beginning of this century, traces in the form of rock drawings already prove the presence of the Curly on the American continent.

 The most likely origin would be Central Asia. Tom Dixon imported 5 curly horses from across the Kyber Pass from Afghanistan or Tajikistan around 1860/80. It was a stallion and 4 mares.  He had them bred and he would have kept 2 stallions of this union, for a few years, before releasing them all into the wild, probably in Nevada ... So yes, there would have been Lokai horses (at least, curly) imported into the USA and mixed with mustangs...

 It is normal that over the years, the conformation of Lokai has become 'diluted' with those of mustangs, except for curling and what is related to the curly gene (hypo allergenicity?).  This also corresponds to the first observations reported by the Damele family (between 1898 and 1905) of the presence of curly horses in mustang herds.

 As for the Dakota Curlies, it is believed that they arrived from South America (horses of Spanish origin).

 The origin of the 'Curly Jim' lineage is more nebulous. It may indeed be a recessive gene that would be expressed on occasion. It is possible because its curl is different. The first Curlies are said to have arrived in Canada in 1883, imported from the Winnemucca area of Nevada by George Pollock.

 He organized the transhumance of 200 mustangs, so some Curlies, to the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, where he set up his ranch and founded the 'Cypress' line found in many Curlies pedigrees.

 George Pollock would be one of the first white men to breed Bashkir Curlies and one of the only 'continuous' breeding of a line selected over a century. 120 years later, his grandson, Ross, and his wife Claire bought two Curlies from Bergen Breeding to settle in the same area and take over the farm...

 We will talk about the curly breed again at the DAMELE family in Eureka, Nevada. These ranchers capture a few live specimens in the wild from mustangs and incorporate them into their herds of working horses on their ranches. In 1932 a terrible winter decimated their livestock. Curly horses and their offspring, as well as a few others, survive.

 The Dameles resume their breeding with these few specimens of fortune. They quickly realize that these horses, which not only resist at nearly minus 40°, have a great facility to learn, but that they have a formidable intelligence, great docility, and how hardy and enduring they are.

 American legend has it that Curlys were 'horses before horses'. This means they were there before the Spanish horses... How they got to the United States is a mystery.

The wild horse populations of western North America since the 1700s have been recorded by Indians in oral transmissions, and pictographs that show that the Sioux and Crow Indians 

had horses with curly coats in the early 1800s

 In the Dakota, in 'Winter Tales', recount Curlies stolen by the Sioux Indians to the Crow Indians. 

The curlies, excellent accomplices for the hunting of bison, were the sacred horses, and venerated,

were reserved for shamans and sorcerers. The most prized by the latter were those who 

wore 'hat medicine': roan or black spots on the upper part of the head.

 Called 'big red dog' or the 'Buffalo Pony', name, so to speak, in connection with the dress of bison. 

 They were brave and valiant horses, they have not changed.

History being what it has become, modernity, having taken over, the Indians have been forgotten and the Curlys have joined the herds of wild horses. 

Even today, this dominant gene 'Curly' comes from the Curly lineages that 

Are reproduced in the wild. Rock drawings made by Chief Red Cloud in 1881 

depict the Battle of Little Bighorn and stage curlies.

 All this information comes from discussions on the ICHO website, mainly between Ron Gale and Lene Jensen, as well as from the book 'Myths and Mysteries of the Curly Horse' (which is unfortunately out of print).

The characteristics of the Curly

It is a curly-coated horse, robust, balanced, well proportioned, with a good character and having an ideal general conformation. He will be kind, calm, and docile while always being on the lookout. He is friendly, intelligent, and loves to work.

The muscle volume will depend on the types of horses but will be in agreement with the type of disciplines for which they will be best suited. The domestic Curly existing today is still horse-shaped more by nature than by man, which has retained in its genetic inheritance many of the primitive characteristics and survival instinct. In many ways, it is not a stabilized breed of horse.

 

Her Dress

The dress is THE characteristic of the Curly. Curly has a unique hypoallergenic coat.

 This is usually very obvious in winter when the hair is longer. The coat is composed of dense curly hair, sometimes similar to the fleece of a sheep.

 In summer, the Curly loses its winter curly dress for a softer, smoother dress that may or may not show curl.

 Its mane, toupee, hair in the ears, and balls keep their curls in summer and winter. The coat of Curlies is hypoallergenic for many people allergic to other horses.

 

Its size

The Saddle Curly is the most frequently encountered Curly, with a height of about 1m45 to 1m55.

 However, the exceptional Curly exists in all sizes, ranging from the large draft horse to the small miniature Curly.

 Although all sizes exist and are accepted for the Saddle Curly (not for the draft horse), the maximum recommended size, in order to preserve their natural durability, is 1m65 and 615 Kg.

With an infinity of variation in a single "breed" of the horse, there is really a Curly for each equestrian discipline and for each use. Pony size classification: In the horse industry, a saddle Curly will be considered a pony when it is less than 1m47.

 

It is color

There are no color restrictions.

 All genetic colors of dresses, all dilutions, eye colors, marks, and pigments are allowed and probably exist in Curlies, no color is discriminatory.

 Dark or ridged hooves (ermine crowns with white balance) are appreciated.

 

His temperament

Most breeders state that the smartest and most well-behaved models are representative of their farms.

 The Curly is reputed to be docile. Their owners generally love their calm temperament, but also their ability and willingness to use their reason in the face of a difficulty or an element that may cause them problems. 

Curly is naturally rather confident. It is easy to train and deserves a rider who can respect and spare it. His temperament makes him the hiker's dream companion.

 

Breed standards

In exhibition (depending on the discipline), Curlies are not shorn as are other horse breeds. The Curly must look good and it is in its natural state that it is most in its element.

The presence of ears (in the ears or on balls, etc. For example) should be regarded as characteristics of the breed and should not be penalized.

 The Curly breed can also be defined by the head, neck, shoulders, bones, legs and feet, body, mane, tail, or movements.

 

Paces

 

The Curly has a medium or long stride, straight, athletic and efficient, easy movement. 

The trot will have to be naturally elongated and flexible, and for some Curly more or less raised and airy: the Gaited. Some breeds of specific looks have been crossed with Curlys, and about 10% of Curlys today naturally adopt either the foxtrot, the running walk, or the Curly shuffle.

 

The different conformations

- STOCK, for an authentic working horse, the Quarter horse is heavier, cut to endure, very solid with bone, beautiful plumbs, and beautiful breeches.

- SPORT, for disciplines such as CSO, dressage, and endurance. Inclined shoulder, mixed balance, correct plumb and bones, fairly long neckline, muscular, short kidney, power at the back but remaining elegant.

- DRAFT, is the heavy horse. American Percheron style. The Curly DRAFT comes either from a mustang or recessive Percheron.- GAITED, is a Curly with raised looks, aerial, and very comfortable for the rider. These gaits are descended from Curlies crossed with Missouri Foxtrotter.

- PONY, who sucks, in the world of Curly, below 142cm. You can also find miniature Curlies, but they are very, very rare.

 It is a hardy breed, which has exceptional resistance to cold temperatures and would be able to tolerate − 40 ° C

This document establishes the standards of the horse possessing the dominant gene Curly North American. 

ICHO is also looking for horses with the Curly recessive gene. At present, there is no similarity between the two types of Curly except for their hypoallergenic dress. In France, INRA research is pending. On the US side, ongoing research to identify the dominant gene existing in Curly is trying to identify the genetic traits associated with it. Once these are complete, ICHO will begin to identify the recessive gene. We will share our knowledge according to the progress made by the research.

The purpose of this Curly standard is twofold: first, it is to identify the trait that is commonly recognized and appreciated by the majority of owners and breeders, as the most important, and second to identify a constant basic similarity that could be used to develop various types of Curly that would nevertheless keep the essence of the qualities of Curly. (official standard - ICHO Credits)

 

"Close" breeds

The Arabian, the Morgan, the Appaloosa, and the Missouri Fox Trotter are the four breeds used in the twentieth century to enlarge the herd and improve the breed in order to maintain its morphology while selecting more enduring horses.

In particular, there are many physical similarities with Morgan. It has in common with the Arab to have one less vertebra and therefore a short back.

 

Sources:

ICHO (International Curly Horse Organization) website [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ichocurlyhorses.com/ 

ABCR (American Bashkir Curly Horse Registry) website [Online]. Available from: http://www.abcregistry.org

30 Million Friends "Curly, an American horse with curly hair, recognized in France", AFP, January 3, 2012. Available from: https://www.30millionsdamis.fr/actualites/article/3977-le-curly-cheval-americain-aux-poils-boucles-reconnu-