| About Curly Horses |
| The most asked question of a curly horse breeder is probably "What is a curly coated horse and where does it come ?" As the name implies that it is a horse with curly hair. The honest answer as to where it comes from is that no on knows for sure, but in addition to being documented in various locations around the world through out history, they have also been found on the ranges among American mustang herds. We do know that certain Native American Indian tribes had them, and they were ridden by their Holy Men, Medicine Men and Chiefs. How curly horses came to be on this continent is a mystery. Speculation provides that they may be descendants of horses which escaped from Russian trappers who brought them onto the continent and the escapees then joined the wild mustang herds. 2,000 years of circumstantial evidence indicates that the rare curly coated horse has been around in various locations of the world. Pictures from China (2nd century AD) depicted curly horses amongst their herds. Ancient Mongol warriors of high rank rode curly horses, considering them of very high value due to their hardiness and steadfast personality. From the Ural Mountains in Russia and across the Orient, Curly coated horses have appeared worldwide, throughout documented history, although sightings and references have been few and scattered. |
ABC:
Believing the horses to have originated in Bashkiria in Russia, The American Bashkir Curly
Registry was established in 1971 in order to protect these unique animals from extinction in the
United States. By 1998 there were approximately 2500 horses that had been registered in the
permanent stud book, and a further 350 in the half bred stud book. 2000 is the last year foals may
be registered as half bred so they may be bred up. As of 2001 all foals having only one ABC
registered parent will be considered cross bred Curlies and will have to be registered in an
alternative studbook to the ABC.
Believing the horses to have originated in Bashkiria in Russia, The American Bashkir Curly
Registry was established in 1971 in order to protect these unique animals from extinction in the
United States. By 1998 there were approximately 2500 horses that had been registered in the
permanent stud book, and a further 350 in the half bred stud book. 2000 is the last year foals may
be registered as half bred so they may be bred up. As of 2001 all foals having only one ABC
registered parent will be considered cross bred Curlies and will have to be registered in an
alternative studbook to the ABC.
Modern History and Registries:
Curly horses were first seen in mustang herds by the Damele ranching family in the late 1800's. By
the early 1900's they had captured and trained a few of them. The added value of Curly vigour quickly
changed them from novelty status to highly prized during two extreme winters when the Curly horses
survived under conditions which killed most of the other stock.
ICHO:
In 2000 another registry sprouted, the International Curly Horse Organization (ICHO) with the goal of researching the facts of this many
faceted horse, developing several breeds of North American Curly Horse appropriate for a wide variety of disciplines and, as the International
suggests, supporting the development of Curly horses overseas. The breed evolution will be done using the widely used genetic standard of
progressive generational steps that involves some level of inspection or evaluation for inclusion. ICHO is also open to all curlies, and straight
offspring of dominant curlies in an open studbook.
Curly horses were first seen in mustang herds by the Damele ranching family in the late 1800's. By
the early 1900's they had captured and trained a few of them. The added value of Curly vigour quickly
changed them from novelty status to highly prized during two extreme winters when the Curly horses
survived under conditions which killed most of the other stock.
ICHO:
In 2000 another registry sprouted, the International Curly Horse Organization (ICHO) with the goal of researching the facts of this many
faceted horse, developing several breeds of North American Curly Horse appropriate for a wide variety of disciplines and, as the International
suggests, supporting the development of Curly horses overseas. The breed evolution will be done using the widely used genetic standard of
progressive generational steps that involves some level of inspection or evaluation for inclusion. ICHO is also open to all curlies, and straight
offspring of dominant curlies in an open studbook.
CSI: www.curlysporthorse.org Founded in early 2003 to meet the needs of the rapidly growing enthusiasm for the Sport Horse type of curly coated horse, enabling curly sport horse owners and breeders to utilise a registry expressly designed to promote, market and educate for the selective breeding of these amazing animals. The Curly Sport horse is selectively bred with curly lineage to participate in the sports of dressage, jumping, combined training, or driving. Being "Curly Bred" does not mean that the horse MUST exhibit a curly coat, as not all Curlies show strong expression or any expression of the Curly genetics. What is more important than the coat is the horse's disposition, trainability, movement, & athleticism. The tendencies of Curlies that contribute to their ability to function in the sport horse world, are strong hooves that often do not need shoes, substantial conformation, strong bone, a innate curiosity, and willingness and interest in interaction with people (which tends to translate into ease of training). |
| BashCurl Farm 2 |
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