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 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
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.
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.
Its size
The Saddle Curly is the most frequently encountered Curly,
with a height of about 1m45 to 1m55.
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.
His temperament
Most breeders state that the smartest and most well-behaved
models are representative of their farms.
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.
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.
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-
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