The genetic mechanism that causes the curly coat defect in horses is not fully understood; it involves both dominant and recessive genetic mutations.[12]: 79 [4]: 248 The coat is often heavily curled in winter, and much less so in summer; unusually, the mane and tail also moult in summer.[4]: 248 Some horses carry curly-coat genes but display little or curliness; their offspring may be fully curly.[4]: 248
Characteristic winter coat
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, grulla, and cremello.[13][14]
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.
Curly horses are recognized as their own breed – and have a bloodline-based registry called the American Bashkir curly registry and a trait-based registry called the International Curly Horse Organization – the curly trait can pop up in many other horse breeds – mostly due to the curly trait being recessive in Mustang bloodlines. Because of this, many horse breeds – particularly American breeds – carrying some Mustang blood. The curly trait most often pops up unexpectedly in Mustangs, Missouri Fox trotters and Morgan horses.
Today, curly horses live both in the wild and in pastures and stables around the world. There remain wild curlies among the Mustang herds in both Nevada and the Dakotas. These horses are managed by the Bureau of Land Management and occasionally are available for sale through herd culling (a practice of rounding up and selling horses, in order to maintain the population at a level the land resources can sustain) and sales by the BLM.
The lifespan of curly horses can vary dramatically. Just like any horse or other living organism, a number of factors affect life expectancy. Many curly horses, if well cared for, survive well into their 20s. Because curly horses are a naturally robust breed that’s not prone to digestive or health issues, curly horses may live, on average, longer than the average horse.
Amaretto currently does NOT have Curly Coats, but I have been lobbying for them for years. Wouldn't YOU like to have them too?
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