The American Bashkir Curly is a unique breed of horse, appreciated and distinguished, primarily due to its distinct curly hair coat. This coat pattern is not limited to just the mane and the tail, but extends to engulf the body hair, making the breed uniquely identifiable among all horse breeds.
Coat Characteristics
The characteristic coat of the Bashkir Curly sheds and changes along with the seasons. As the weather heats up, the coat paves its way to become nearly straight or slightly wavy during the summer.
Key changes in hair coat:
- Curly during colder months.
- Straight or slightly wavy in summer.
Genetic Influence
The curliness of a Bashkir Curly’s coat is caused by a genetic mutation. Researchers have identified two separate genes that, upon mutation, independently result in the curly pattern. These genes were reported by Morgenthaler et al., in 2017, and Thomer et al., in 2018.
The manifestation of the curly coat is dynamic; it can range from minimal to extreme. Minimal expression is restricted to curls found in the ears, fetlock, mane, and tail. Extreme manifestation exhibits tight curls spread across the body, even extending to the eyelashes.
It’s interesting to know:
- Not every curly haired foal is born to parents with the dominant mutation that causes the curl.
- The curly coat, in certain cases, is associated with hypotrichosis (loss of hair), predominantly notable in the tail and summer coat.
Size and Type
Categorizing the entire breed as light horses could be misleading considering the considerable diversity observed within the horses in relation to their size, type, and coat color patterns.
Origin
Despite the breed carrying the name of the Bashkir region of the Ural Mountains of Russia, the precise origin of the breed is still not confirmed. One plausible hypothesis indicates that these horses were derived from Lokai horses in Tajikistan.
| Hypothesized Places of Origin | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bashkir Region, Russia | Breed carries the name of this region. |
| Tajikistan | Hypothesized to be derived from Lokai Horses. |
There exists a significant record of the horses being utilized by Native Americans in the early 1800s. In the United States however, the breed is traced back to three curly-coated feral horses discovered in 1898 on a ranch in Nevada. The official recognition and organization of the breed in the United States was initiated with the establishment of the American Bashkir Curly Registry in 1971.
Physical Attributes
The American Bashkir Curly horse exhibits a diverse range of physical attributes, which can vary among individual horses. This breed is known for its strength, endurance, and versatility.
Key physical traits:
- Height: Ranges from 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches) on average, although outliers (shorter and taller) do exist.
- Weight: Varies between 700 to 1200 pounds.
- Body Type: Sturdy and well-muscled, with a strong back and loins.
- Head: Generally compact, with wide-set eyes and large nostrils.
- Legs: Vary in length and bone density; generally short to medium-sized cannon bones.
- Feet: Round, strong, and hard, often described as “blacksmith-free.”
Temperament
The temperament of the American Bashkir Curly horse is described as gentle, intelligent, and eager to learn. They are known for their calm demeanor and good disposition.
Behavioral traits:
- Easy to train and responsive.
- Adaptable to various environments and disciplines.
- Reliable and trustworthy.
- Good-natured and people-oriented.
Uses and Disciplines
The versatility of the American Bashkir Curly horse allows it to excel in various disciplines, making it a popular choice for many horse enthusiasts.
Common disciplines:
- Dressage
- Show jumping
- Eventing
- Endurance riding
- Trail riding
- Western pleasure
- Rodeo events
Health and Maintenance
The American Bashkir Curly horse is known for its overall good health and low maintenance requirements. It has a reputation for being resilient and capable of resisting harsh weather conditions as well as many common equine diseases.
Health and maintenance considerations:
- Reduced risk of equine allergies: Many people with allergies to horses report they can handle this breed without adverse reactions due to the unique structure of its hair and dander.
- Low maintenance feet: The feet are often hardy, requiring less frequent farrier attention or specialized hoof care.
- Regular grooming: Although the curly coat is low maintenance, standard grooming is essential to maintain optimal coat health and overall cleanliness.
Breeding
Breeding the American Bashkir Curly horse is vital for preserving the unique traits of this fascinating breed.
Breeding objectives:
- Propagation and preservation of the curly coat gene.
- Maintaining diverse size, type, and coat color patterns.
- Further developing the breed’s versatility, strength, and endurance.
- Retaining the breed’s gentle and easygoing temperament.
It is essential to ensure that the American Bashkir Curly horses are bred responsibly and sustainably, considering genetic factors like the curly hair gene and its effects on the breed as a whole. By doing so, the breed can continue to thrive and serve as a versatile option for horse enthusiasts around the world.
