View source for American Bashkir Curly

{{Short description|Breed of horse}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{for|Bashkir horse breed|Bashkir horse}}
{{Infobox horse breed
| name            = American Bashkir Curly
| image           = Curly horse mane.jpg
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| status          = {{ubl|[[FAO]] (2007): critical{{r|barb|p=49}}|[[DAD-IS]] (2023): at risk{{r|dad2}}|{{nobreak|[[Livestock Conservancy]] (2023): not listed{{r|tlc}}}}}}
| altname         = {{ubl|American Curly Horse|North American Curly Horse}}
| country         = {{ubl|Canada|United States}}
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The '''American Bashkir Curly''' or '''North American Curly Horse''' is a North American [[horse breed|breed]] of horse, characterized by an unusual curly coat of hair.{{r|spon|p=248}} It derives from American horses of [[Iberian horse|Iberian]] origin, in which curly-coated individuals occasionally occur; it is unrelated to Asian horses such as the [[Bashkir (horse)|Bashkir]] and [[Lokai]], which may also be curly-coated.{{r|elise|p=452}} The American Bashkir Curly has been extensively [[cross-bred]] with horses of other breeds, and varies widely in size and [[equine conformation|conformation]]; it may be of any [[horse coat colour|color]].{{r|cabi|p=434}}

== History ==

The origins of the Curly horse is highly debated in the Curly community, but research is mostly still in progress. Disagreements of the Curly horse's history result in confusion of what the breed is, and what it should be called. ABCR members prefer "Bashkir Curly" while CSI and ICHO members lean towards "North American Curly". The addition or removal of 'Bashkir' to the breed name is highly debated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curlyhorses.org/index.php?page=37 |title=Article To B or not to B |publisher=Curlyhorses.org |access-date=2010-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712201112/http://www.curlyhorses.org/index.php?page=37 |archive-date=2010-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  A 1990 study indicated that it is unlikely that the [[Bashkir horse]], which also has a curly coat, is an ancestor.<ref name=thomas>S. Thomas (1990). [http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/19900183573.html The Curly Horse identification project of the CS fund conservancy (a case study)], in: Lawrence Alderson (1990). ''Genetic conservation of domestic livestock''. Wallingford, Oxon: CAB International, on behalf of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. {{nowrap|p. 154–159.}}</ref>

One theory is that the origin of the breed is [[Iberian horse|Iberian]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/97/2/107 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709214522/http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/97/2/107 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-09 |title=Iberian Origins of New World Horse Breeds |year=2006 |doi=10.1093/jhered/esj020 |publisher=Jhered.oxfordjournals.org |access-date=2010-06-25|last1=Luís |first1=Cristina |last2=Bastos-Silveira |first2=Cristiane |last3=Cothran |first3=E. Gus |last4=Oom |first4=Maria do Mar |journal=Journal of Heredity |volume=97 |issue=2 |pages=107–113 |pmid=16489143 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It has been noted that [[foal]]s of cross bred horses have the curly hair. This suggests that the curly gene is dominant.<ref name="FAQ"/>

There are multiple theories for how the American Curly developed. The Curly horse was first documented in Eureka, Nevada, in the early 20th century by rancher John Damele and his sons. While [[mustang (horse)|Mustangs]] were a common sight, curly coated horses were unusual. Years later, the Dameles managed to catch one, broke it to ride and sold it, thus starting their relationship with the breed. In 1932, an unusually harsh winter hit the area, and come spring the only horses that could be found were the Curlies. This evidence of hardiness was noted by the Damele family, and they decided they should include more of these horses in their herd. After another harsh winter in 1951/52, the Dameles started to get serious about breeding these horses. They went out and found their foundation stallion, a two-year-old chestnut in one of the mustang herds. They called him Copper D. The Dameles did not care much for keeping the breed 'pure', and wanting to improve their horses, added some other blood to their herd. Among the stallions introduced were a [[Morgan horse|Morgan]], Ruby Red King AMHR 26101 and an [[Arabian horse|Arabian]], Nevada Red AHR 18125. These two stallions created many offspring for the Dameles, and are in hundreds of Curly horses' pedigrees today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curlytranch.ca/history.html |title=History |publisher=Curlytranch.ca |date=1961-01-14 |access-date=2010-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701211112/http://www.curlytranch.ca/history.html |archive-date=2010-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Characteristics ==

[[File:gallopingbashkircurly2.jpg|thumb|In full winter coat]]
[[File:BashkirCurlyCoat.jpg|thumb|Characteristic winter coat]]
[[File:Curly horse closeup.jpg|thumb|Closeup of winter coat]]
The Curlies are known for their calm, intelligent and friendly personality. They show an easily trainable temperament. They are also known for having a tough constitution and great stamina. Most people have found that the curlies enjoy being around people. The curlies are typically not flighty. They tend to do more reasoning than most breeds. They are very reliable and have a great work ethic.<ref name="FAQ">{{cite web|url=http://ichopage.weebly.com/faq.html |title=Curly Horse FAQ |publisher=Curlyhorses.org |access-date=2013-12-09}}</ref>

=== Coat, mane and tail ===

The genetic mechanism that causes the curly coat defect in horses is not fully understood; it involves both [[dominance (genetics)|dominant]] and recessive genetic [[mutation]]s.{{r|ann|p=79|spon|p2=248}} The coat is often heavily curled in winter, and much less so in summer; unusually, the mane and tail also [[moult]] in summer.{{r|spon|p=248}} Some horses carry curly-coat genes but display little or no curliness; their offspring may be fully curly.{{r|spon|p=248}}

Curlies have split manes and are not braided or clipped when shown. Curlies are most commonly chestnut colored, but can be found in every color from standard bays, blacks, and greys, to appaloosa markings; from pinto patterns to dilute colors such as buckskin, roan, [[grullo|grulla]], and [[cremello]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcregistry.org/breed_id_standard.htm |title=ABC Registry Breed standard |publisher=Abcregistry.org |access-date=2010-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716143155/http://www.abcregistry.org/breed_id_standard.htm |archive-date=2010-07-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.curlyhorses.org/index.php?page=breed_standard |title=NACHR Breed Standard |publisher=Curlyhorses.org |access-date=2010-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712195728/http://www.curlyhorses.org/index.php?page=breed_standard |archive-date=2010-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The care for the curly hair is simple with most people choosing to not comb the mane because the hair will lose its curliness. The manes are often trimmed to keep them from matting. The tails can be combed. Some people choose to collect the hair that is shed from the mane and tails in the spring. The hair is then donated to the ICHO Fiber Guild who use the hair for spinning. All of the proceeds go to ICHO Curly Research Efforts.<ref name="FAQ"/>

=== Hypoallergenic ===

Curlies are claimed to be the only [[hypoallergenic]] horse breed; most people allergic to horses can tolerate Curly horses without having an allergic reaction. Research indicates a protein is missing from the hair of Curlies which may be what causes allergic reactions to horses in people with allergies, but the study was never officially published. Members of the Curly community are working towards funding more research on the topic.{{r|Mitlehner}}

=== Build ===
The Curly has a characteristic long stride and bold movement. They have tough hooves, strong bones and exceptional endurance. Most Curlies stand between 14 and 16 hands, though they can range from [[miniature horse]]s to [[draft horse]]s, which are only allowed in two registries.

== Registries and organizations ==

'''The American Bashkir Curly Registry''' (ABCR) opened in 1971 with only 21 horses; as of May 2005 there were just over 4,000 Bashkir Curlies in the world, primarily in North America. They are the original standing Curly Registry, and have a closed stud book, only issuing new registrations to horses with two ABCR registered parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcregistry.org |title=American Bashkir Curly Horse Registry |publisher=Abcregistry.org |access-date=2010-06-25}}</ref>

'''The International Curly Horse Organization''' (ICHO) began in 2000 and had over 800 horses registered in its North American Curly Horse Registry (as of October 2006). Horses within this registry are not referred to as "Bashkir Curlies". Although bloodlines (when available) are tracked, the ICHO registers horses based on visible curly traits rather than bloodlines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ichocurlyhorses.weebly.com/nachr-registry.html|title=ICHO/NACH Registry Requirements|publisher=Curlyhorses.org|access-date=2010-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321155930/http://ichocurlyhorses.weebly.com/nachr-registry.html|archive-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''Curly Sporthorse International''' (CSI) began in early 2003 to promote sport horse type Curly Horses, which are one of the more popular types of Curlies. CSI was created to support Curly owners and breeders in improvement of breeding stock, promotion, and marketing. The registry also sponsors Horse of the Year awards and USDF All Breed Awards for performance.  CSI advocates evaluation of breeding stock and their offspring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.curlysporthorse.org |title=CSI |publisher=Curlysporthorse.org |date=2009-11-25 |access-date=2010-06-25}}</ref>

'''Canadian Curly Horse Association''' (CCHA) formed in 1993. This group is focused on community events in the Curly world, and spreading knowledge of the Curly horse.

== Uses ==

{{Self-published|date=December 2023|section}}
Though eye catching and unusual in the show ring, Curlies have the movement, endurance, and heart to excel in competition. Curlies have been shown at upper levels of [[dressage]] and [[show jumping]], and others have proved the reliable mount and patient teacher for the weekend competitor. Curlies are characteristically quiet, level headed horses that make excellent first horses for supervised beginner riders. Curlies have carried horse-allergic riders from beginner status through ever more advanced stages of [[equestrianism]]. They have also been used for [[combined driving]], [[western riding]], [[ranch]] horses, [[trail horse]]s, and companions for other horses. Some Curlies have been [[crossbred]] to [[gaited horse]]s. About 10% of the crossbreds will do one of the [[ambling]] gaits such as the running walk, fox trot or the stepping pace, which is also called the "Curly shuffle". Curlies are not used for racing or high trotting showing.<ref name="FAQ"/>

== References ==

{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=ann>F.W. Nicholas (2000). [https://books.google.it/books?id=ZL3A097IbjsC&hl=en&pg=PA79 Genetics of Morphological Traits and Inherited Disorders]. In: Ann T. Bowling, Anatoly Ruvinsky (editors) (2000). ''The Genetics of the Horse''. Wallingford: CABI. {{isbn|9780851994291}}, pages 71–84.</ref>

<ref name=barb>Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20200623201209/http://www.fao.org/3/a1250e/annexes/List%20of%20breeds%20documented%20in%20the%20Global%20Databank%20for%20Animal%20Genetic%20Resources/List_breeds.pdf List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources], annex to [https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125634/http://www.fao.org/3/a-a1250e.pdf ''The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture'']. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{isbn|9789251057629}}. Archived 23 June 2020.</ref>

<ref name=cabi>Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). [https://books.google.it/books?id=2UEJDAAAQBAJ&hl=en ''Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding''] (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. {{isbn|9781780647944}}.</ref>

<ref name=dad2>[https://dadis-transboundary-ext-ws.web.app/?species=Cattle&transboundary=Devon&lang=en Transboundary breed: Bashkir Curly]. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed July 2023.</ref>

<ref name=elise>Élise Rousseau, Yann Le Bris, Teresa Lavender Fagan (2017). [https://books.google.it/books?id=Eus9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA176&hl=en ''Horses of the World'']. Princeton: Princeton University Press. {{isbn|9780691167206}}.</ref>

<ref name="Mitlehner">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1055/s-0034-1393396| volume = 69| issue = 12| pages = 711–718| last1 = Mitlehner| first1 = W.| last2 = Mitlehner| first2 = H. C.| last3 = Niggemann| first3 = B.| title = Horse Allergy: Curly Horses Allow Horse Allergic Riders To Ride Again| journal = Pneumologie| access-date = 2023-12-15| date = 2015| url = http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0034-1393396| doi-access = free}}</ref>

<ref name=spon>Dan Phillip Sponenberg, Rebecca Bellone (2017). ''Equine Color Genetics'', fourth edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell. {{isbn|9781119130611}}.</ref>

<ref name=tlc>[https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/conservation-priority-list/ Conservation Priority List]. Pittsboro, North Carolina: The Livestock Conservancy. Accessed July 2023.</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat}}
* [https://www.abcregistry.org/ American Bashkir Curly Registry]
* [http://ichocurlyhorses.org International Curly Horse Organization]
* [http://www.curlysporthorse.org Curly Sport Horse International Registry]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130530073846/http://curlyhorse.ca/ Canadian Curly Horse Association]
* [http://www.curlyhorses.info Curly Horse Pedigree Database]

{{Horse breeds of Canada and the United States}}

[[Category:Horse breeds]]
[[Category:Horse breeds originating in the United States]]

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