Bashkir curly
The Curly, sometimes called the American Bashkir Curly, is defined by a coat of tight curls or waves — including a curled mane and tail and curled hair inside the ears.
Curly horses appeared in mustang herds in Nevada in the early twentieth century, and the connection to the Bashkir horse of Russia the name implies has never been established.
They stand 14 to 15 hands, hardy and heavy-boned, and shed the curly coat in summer, sometimes losing mane and tail hair with it. The breed's best-known claim is that many people allergic to horses can tolerate Curlies, and unusually for such a claim there is some supporting evidence, though not a guarantee for any individual.
- Origin
- United States; curly horses found in Nevada mustang herds
- Height
- 14–15 hands
- Lifespan
- 25–30 years
- Coat
- Tight curls, including mane, tail and inside the ears
- Known for
- Often tolerated by people allergic to horses
- Temperament
- Calm, hardy, notably level-headed
3 bashkir curly photos, newest first
Living with a bashkir curly
The allergy claim needs testing individually. Studies have found lower levels of a key allergenic protein in Curly hair, and many allergic riders do manage around them, but sensitivity varies. Spend real time with the specific horse before buying on that basis.
They shed dramatically in summer and may lose mane and tail hair entirely, growing it back in autumn. That is normal for the breed and not a health problem.
They are extremely hardy, winter out well, and are efficient feeders — which means they gain weight easily on good grazing and need it restricted.
The coat holds water and dries slowly, so clipping is common for horses in hard winter work.
Temperament is a consistent breed strength. They are calm and unusually tolerant, which makes them popular for therapeutic riding programmes.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual horses vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
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