The American Bashkir Curly Horse Registry (ABCR) was founded in 1971 to preserve the unique characteristics of the breed. Their main issue was inbreeding, as they had very few animals to work with. To solve this they turned to other breeds, namely Arabian<\/a>, Morgan<\/a>, Appaloosa<\/a> and Missouri Fox Trotter<\/a> based on similar physical characteristics. To register animals must have a specific genetic background.<\/p>\n There is also a International Curly Horse Organisation (ICHO) in Ohio, which has more lenient rules for registering animals. <\/p>\n When minimally expressed, curls may only appear in the ears, on fetlocks as well as in the mane and tail. When maximally expressed, the horse displays curls all over, dreadlocks in its mane and curled eyelashes. Mane and tail can completely shed out in the summer, only to re-grow again with their winter coat.<\/p>\n These animals are notable as their flight response is much dimmer than most breeds, even facing danger they will remain calm and wait for help. This factor alone makes them useful for riding therapy, or for riders with less dexterity. <\/p>\n In 2017 an interesting study was done on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Curly Horses<\/a>, as they are incredibly rare worldwide. The original theory of these animals being related to the Bashkir breed is likely incorrect, in fact the Bashkir animals that show curly coats often came from crosses with Lokai horses<\/a> from today’s Tajikistan. It believed that the Lokai could be the initial source of these genetics.<\/p>\n Over the years there have been mention of horses with curly coats in various European literature. The first mention was a brief one in the 13th century. Much later horses called Bachmatt with similar characteristics, down to the calm demeanor were recorded again. These hardy animals were said also to be Tartar mounts, appreciated for their ability to forage and hooves so hard they didn’t need shoes. <\/p>\n In the end, this study does not discover their origins, but a region from which there is record of them. Mainly western Asia, where climate can be extreme and probably the reason this particular genetic mutation was able to persist. How they came to be on the North American continent is not a total mystery, as they likely came over during the Russian occupation of Alaska. Making their way down the Pacific coast to warmer climates. <\/p>\n Aside from the Sioux tribe documenting stealing animals with curly coats in their winter count of 1801, the first written documentation found them in the wild in Nevada. An Italian woodcutter happened across them in a herd of mustangs and brought one home. A particularly harsh winter in 1932 killed all of his horses, except for the curly, happening again on several occasions. The family began to capture, train and breed the curly animals as working horses, selling them for extra income when needed. <\/p>\n Average height 13.3 – 16 hands Medium sized head, wide set eyes and curled eyelashes All colors<\/a><\/p>\n Even-tempered and strong<\/p>\n Pleasure horses *All links open in a new window<\/small>Curly Q<\/h3>\n
Genetic Study<\/h3>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
\nCurly hair characteristics
\nBody hair should be fine and soft
\nComes in many variations
\nThose allergic to horses can enjoy the curly horse<\/p>\nPhysique<\/h3>\n
\nNeck is medium in length and deep at the base
\nBack is short and deep in the girth
\nHeavy boned legs
\nHooves are very hard and dense
\nCoat is fine and soft with ringlets, a soft wave or crushed velvet curls
\nMane is kinky or wavy
\nTail is in ringlets or wavy<\/p>\nTraditional Colors<\/h3>\n
Temperament<\/h3>\n
Use<\/h3>\n
\nShow horses
\nRanch horses
\nTherapy<\/p>\nHelpful Links<\/h3>\n
\nAmerican Bashkir Curly Horse Registry<\/a>
\nCurly Sporthorse International<\/a>
\nInternational Curly Horse Organization<\/a>
\nCurly Horse Pedigree Database<\/a>
\nCurly Horse Country<\/a><\/p>\nMore Images<\/h3>\n
![\"American](\"\/images\/american-bashkir-horse-1.webp\")
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