Bashkir Curly Horse: Mysterious And Hypoallergenic
Horses are majestic animals, and one of their main characteristics is their glossy coat that can display various patterns. In this sense, the bashkir curly horse is a particularly remarkable equine breed for its curly and woolly coats.
To get to know this beautiful animal, we would like to invite you to continue reading a little more about its origins and its main characteristics.
Origin and brief history of the bashkir curly horse
Curly is the popular name for the equine breed called bashkir curly or American curly. Their birth took place in the mountainous regions of the United States, where they probably lived for many years in the wild.
However, there are some reports that could reveal that this type of horse is much older than we currently consider. The first references to bashkir curly horses appear in the early 2nd century, but are still considered uncertain.
Furthermore, there is evidence that one of Emperor Zhaoling’s horses was distinguished from the others by its curly fur. According to the account, his name was Quanmaogua (“Curly” in Portuguese) as a tribute to this striking feature.
As a curiosity, in the tomb of this Chinese monarch, which today is a much-visited monument, there are representations of his horses. The animals fought along with him in the battles that took place between 639-649 AD
Several years later, the bashkir curly horse gained popularity in the work of Charles Darwin. The British scientist developed a curious theory about the possible relationship between their type of coat and the shape of their hooves.
In addition, he mentioned the possibility of the existence of bashkir curly horses in Russia and referred to the expansion of their breeding in Los Angeles.
Bashkir curly horses were also considered magical by many Native American tribes such as the Sioux, unlike the European settlers who used to despise them for their curly coat.
Appearance and temperament of the curly bashkir horse
Of course, the most striking feature of bashkir curly horses is their curly, woolly, wavy coat.
Regarding coloration, curly hair can be monochromatic, bicolored, tricolored and show a wide range of patterns. It is also common for the front legs to have the famous “zebra paw stripes”.
In addition to the coat, the bashkir curly horse is characterized by its medium size, muscular body with harmonious lines and strong legs. Despite its robustness, it shows great agility and its movements are executed in a precise and elegant way.
The tail is usually not very tall and the hips are of medium length to achieve a straight limb position. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark and are usually very expressive.
The temper of the curly bashkir horse is no less admirable than its appearance. These horses stand out for having a firm and active personality and, in the face of good training, show themselves to be very trustworthy and predisposed to learning.
Like all horses, curly bashkirs display remarkable intelligence and sensitivity. With their caregivers, they can form a very close bond and are also highly sociable with other animals.
In addition to basic health care, they need to receive adequate physical and mental stimulation to keep their behavior stable.
Why do some horses have curly fur?
This variation was originated from a genetic mutation, which would be an adaptive response to the climatic conditions of the place of origin of the horse. The “curly” hair allows you to create a denser insulating layer that protects the horse’s body from the cold.
However, short-haired curly bashkir horses may not have curls; it may be that their coat was more wavy and woolly than that of smooth-haired horses. Still, the hairs are noticeably more curly, or “frizzy,” on the ears, hocks, mane and tail.
In summer, it is common for the bashkir curly horse to undergo an intense exchange. It will have a softer, lighter coat to withstand the heat. As winter approaches, the hairs grow back and the curls become more abundant. This helps to withstand the season’s weather adversities.
In addition to giving it an interesting and attractive appearance, its peculiar coat makes the bashkir curly horse the only hypoallergenic equine breed. This is a great advantage for breeders, horse riders and allergy sufferers.
Thus, they are ideal for the practice of equine therapy and riding sports.
