About Curlies

Frequently Asked Questions about Curly Horses.
Curly Horse Traits including inheritance and curly hair types.
Learn about Horse allergies and why Curly Horses are Hypoallergenic
Curly Research projects

The North American Curly Horse

The model North American Curly Horse is a durable, sturdy made, saddle type horse that typically ranges from 14.2 to 15.1 hh but occurs in all sizes & types. It has a curly coat of hair, very noticeable in winter, less apparent when short in summer and the coat is hypoallergenic for many allergy sufferers. People allergic to other horses can own and ride Curly Horses with amazing success. Some people report Curlies smell differently than other horses.

Stride

The North American Curly Horse characteristically has a long stride & bold movement. The upper dock area of the
Curly Horse's tail is usually somewhat shorter haired due to shedding or breakage.

Curl

A Curly Horse will often have distinctly curly hair
inside its ears, year around. Their eyes may have an elliptic
slant to them. They often have shallow (fairly short) mouths.
Its temperament is peaceful, quiet & calm. When frightened
a Curly often stops to watch & think before resorting to panic.

Color

The Curly learns easily and quickly. The Curly comes in all colors. They also come in Lp gene (spotted or appaloosa) color patterns, and pinto color patterns.

Mustang Curlies

The Curly Horse is well documented among wild horses of the North American west, since the 1700's. It has survival traits resulting from centuries of natural selection, including efficient size, strength, stamina, a short back, straight, strong boned legs, and thick walled, predominantly dark or striped hooves (that is, ermine spotting usually accompanies white socks). The Curly Horse usually requires shoeing only when ridden in rough country or long miles on hard surfaces.

Eyes and Ears

Curly Horses are often wide between the eyes, and typically
have wide set ears, somewhat blunt at the tip or gently curved. Their faces can be somewhat long and narrow, and
are straight in profile, or may be ram headed (convex) . They
may have primitive horse traits such as smaller chestnuts &
smaller or missing ergots. Curlies with long thick manes are
double maned (split down middle.) They are not required to
be clipped when shown, to display their unique Curly Horse
traits.

Managing a Curly

In general, the North American Curly Horse is easily
managed, and economical to keep. It is tough, strong, and athletic. It comes in most sizes, types,and colors. The Curly is a very thoughtful, peaceful animal, with the added bonus of being hypoallergenic.

Suitable For

The Curly is very intelligent, and trains very quickly.
For these reasons, the Curly is very suitable for a wide variety of disciplines, and when properly trained, it works well for owners of all experience levels.

Read the History of the Curly
See more Curlies in the Photo Gallery

Did you know Curly horse hair can be spun into yarn? Go to the Fiber Guild to learn more.