Frequently Asked Questions About Curlies

Everywhere we go, whenever the topic of Curly Horses comes up, we are asked all sorts of questions about them.  We thought it would be a good idea to answer a few of the more typically asked questions here.

Where did Curly Horses originate?

    There have been many theories on this, some believing that the "curly" part of the horse came from the Bashkir region of Russia, some feeling perhaps from the Lokai horses of Tajikistan.  To this date nothing has been accurately proven.  What is known is that the earliest documented Curlies in North America were with Native Americans in the Winter Count of 1801-2.  At this time it was said that the Sioux had stolen Curly horses from the Crow.  From then to now, several ranchers/breeders have been responsible for maintaining Curly Horse breeding.  Some of the names you will hear are: Damele, Eli Bad Warrior, Berndt, Neidhard, Skjonsberg, and Fredell. 

    There are also Missouri Foxtrotters who carry a dominant Curly gene.  The founding sire of that line is *Curly Jim.

    Additionally, some horses carry a recessive gene for curly coats, two of which are Missouri Foxtrotters and Percherons.

Where are Curly Horses found now?

    Curly Horses are primarily found in Western North America.  From there they have spread to the Eastern side of the continent, to Europe, and to Australia.  There are less than 4,000 registered Curly Horses living!

I have heard that they are hypo-allergenic.  What does that mean?

    Hypo-allergenic means that, in this case, the horse is less likely to cause a person who is allergic to horses to have an allergic response.  That does not mean that the person will not have an "allergy attack", but that often the symptoms are less severe if they are present at all.  We do not know exactly why this is so, and studies are on going.  We think it may be because the Curly Horse's hair is different than a regular horses, or that the proteins in their skin are different.

    If you are an allergy sufferer, what this means is that you should use every means to test the horse you may be considering purchasing by either an in-person visit, or at least, by asking for some of the hair to be sent to you.  And do make sure that you keep your allergy medicine close at hand because sometimes there is a response due to having multiple allergies.

I've heard that Curlies don't need any of the "normal" care of a horse like shoes, de-worming, grain, vaccinations, etc.

    Curlies are horses.  When we keep horses in a domestic environment we need to do things for them that wild horses may not require.  Curlies, like any other, do best when their vaccinations, farrier work, and de-worming is kept up to date for their home area.  Many Curlies are not shod because they tend to have naturally round and hard feet; however, depending on where they live and what they do, you may find them with shoes. 

    Most Curlies do get some grain or other feed supplement, again depending on where they live.  Each region brings its own vitamin and mineral requirements that the horse cannot get from their hay ration.  It is best to speak with a local veterinarian to find what is best for your area; however, many Curlies are "easy keepers" and do not need as much grain as a different breed of horse.  Again, check with your veterinarian.

What does the asterisk mean in front of a Curly's name?

    Curlies come in many coat types, just as human's hair varies, so does a Curly's.  Some Curlies are even born without any apparent curl to their coats, and these we call Smooth-Coated Curlies.  When you see an asterisk in front of the Curly's name it means that they have curls in their coat.

What do Curlies do?

    Curlies can do anything at all!  Curlies are known for being versatile, hardy, gentle horses.  They are actively used in most of the standard disciplines for other horses such as: competitive and classical dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing, and combined driving.  There have been Curlies used also in the western disciplines of barrels, reining, gymkhana, and Western pleasure.

    You will find them being used as trail horses, pack horses, search and rescue horses.  They compete in endurance and competitive trail.  Many are used as 4H & Pony Club mounts or therapeutic horses and are wonderful with these children due to their gentle nature.

CURLIES CAN DO!

How did you get into Curlies?

    I found out early in life that I was allergic to animals.  That didn't stop me from loving them, but kept me distant.  When our middle daughter was old enough, she joined 4H and went to two meetings.  At the second meeting, they were grooming the horses and we discovered that she was highly allergic to them.  She was crushed.  Then our youngest daughter reached 8 years old, and had the horse-addiction.  She was not allergic to them, so we took her to once a week lessons, but made her change her clothes down in the cellar and then take a shower right away to keep the allergens as low as possible for our other daughter. 

    We discovered Curlies while watching the Rose Bowl Parade, when our middle one said, "OH look at those Curly horses!  And the announcer said they are hypo-allergenic!  What does that mean?"  Immediately, I jumped on the internet and began researching.  Everything I read told me that I had found the right horse for us.  And although our daughter reacted to some of the Curly horses we tested, there were many others to which she didn't react, or reacted minimally.  I did not react at all to any of them!

    And the rest, as they say, is history.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at vtcurlies@fairpointDOTnet, or vtcurlies@yahooDOTnet, or phone (802) 426-3136.  We love to talk Curlies and will help you find the "Curl of your Dreams" with pleasure.

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