The Bashkir Curly, often simply called the Curly Horse, is a distinctive breed celebrated for its uniquely curly coat. This fascinating trait, controlled by a gene that can manifest in varying degrees, results in horses with curly hair on their tail, mane, ankles, and within their ears. Some individuals display a more dominant expression of this gene, leading to curly hair across their entire body, including their eyelashes. Others are known for their extreme winter curls, which typically soften into a wavier texture during the summer months.
Curly Horse Characteristics and Temperament
The Bashkir Curly horse is known for its friendly, intelligent, and calm disposition. These horses are generally docile, reliable, and level-headed, making them suitable for a variety of riders and disciplines. Physically, they are solidly built with strong bones, straight legs, and a wide chest, ensuring a well-balanced physique. Their movement is characterized by boldness and long strides, and interestingly, their manes are often split and lack the twisted or interlaced hair common in other breeds.
This breed comes in a wide array of colors, with chestnut being the most common. However, blacks, grays, and bays are standard, and less common colors such as cremello, grulla, roan, and buckskin are also seen. Pinto and Appaloosa patterns are also recognized within the breed.
Versatile Uses of the Curly Horse
The Bashkir Curly is a versatile breed utilized in various equestrian activities. They excel in show jumping and dressage, and their calm temperament makes them ideal for training beginner riders. They are also well-suited for western riding, combined driving, and serve as excellent companions for trail and ranch horses.
Health and Lifespan
The Bashkir Curly is generally considered a fit and sturdy breed with no known inherent health issues. They typically have a lifespan of about 25 years. Their weight ranges from 800 to 1,200 lbs (363-544 kg), and their height usually falls between 14 to 16 hands (142-163 cm). Interestingly, two registries also accept horses with a broader height range, from 8 to 19 hands (34 to 76 inches).
Gaited Abilities
While not exclusively a gaited breed, Bashkir Curlies can produce offspring with gaited abilities when crossed with breeds like the Missouri Fox Trotter. These offspring may exhibit gaits such as the stepping pace (known as the “Curly Shuffle”), the foxtrot, or the running walk.
Diet and Nutrition
The feeding requirements for an average healthy adult Curly Horse include top-quality hay, loose trace minerals, a fair amount of grain, and access to a white salt block. Ensuring a regular supply of fresh water is also essential.
Origin and Development
The precise origin of the curly-haired horse remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. Initially, it was believed that the Bashkir horse from Russia, known for its curly coat, was an ancestor. However, research in the 1990s suggested this Russian breed was actually the Lokai breed, leading to confusion regarding the breed’s name. Some registries retained the “Bashkir” descriptor, while others opted to remove it, with variations like “American Bashkir Curly,” “North American Curly,” and “American Curly Horse” emerging.
Several theories attempt to explain their presence in North America. One suggests they crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the Ice Age, while another proposes they were introduced by Russian settlers. Evidence of curly-haired horses in 2nd-century Asian artwork has also been noted. One theory posits that Tom Dixon brought them from India to Nevada in the late 19th century, but this is challenged by the fact that Sioux Indians already owned curly-haired horses in the early 1800s. Another hypothesis points to Spanish conquistadors as the introducers, suggesting Iberian ancestry.
John Damele first documented these rare horses in Nevada in the early 1900s. He and his sons later successfully captured, tamed, and sold these resilient animals, impressed by their toughness and resistance to harsh winters. Following a particularly severe winter in 1951/52, the Damele family decided to actively breed these horses. They founded their breeding program with a chestnut Curly mare named Copper D, introducing an Arabian stallion named Nevada Red AHR 18125 and a Morgan horse stallion named Ruby Red King AMHR 26101. Today, these stallions are prominent in the pedigrees of many Curly Horses.
Intriguing Facts About the Curly Horse
- Smooth Coats: Some Curly Horses, known as smooth coat Curlies, may not exhibit visible curls due to the heterozygous nature of the gene responsible for the trait.
- Hypoallergenic Qualities: The Bashkir Curly is often cited as a hypoallergenic horse breed, making it appealing to individuals with horse allergies.
- Unique Fiber: Hair shed from the mane and tail in the spring is collected by the Curly Fiber Guild of the International Curly Horse Organization. Fiber artists utilize this hair for spinning, weaving, crocheting, and knitting.
The Bashkir Curly Horse, with its unique coat, resilient nature, and amiable temperament, continues to captivate horse enthusiasts worldwide. Its fascinating history and versatile capabilities make it a truly special breed.
