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Where did the Curly
horse come from? The American Indians called them the horse before there
were horses. Did the curly horse travel over the land bridge from Russia?
Were they imported by Tom Dixon from India? Did they migrate from South
America? Some of the earliest recorded history is found in the Indian
winter counts of 1801-1802 when the Sioux Indians stole some curly horses
from the Crow Indians*. While the origin of the curly horse remains a
mystery, credit for saving the curly horse is often given to the Damele's,
a ranching family in Nevada. The Damele's began a breeding program with
the curlies in 1932 after a severe winter storm nearly wiped out all of
their stock horses. The Damele's figured if the curly horse was rugged
enough to survive the terrible storm, they would be a valuable asset to
the Damele herd.
Curlies have proven themselves to be very hardy horses, with strong hard
hooves, and a thick curly coat to withstand the bitter cold. Their coats
come in varying degrees of curls. The curls can be tight poodle curls
to loose and wavy. Curly horses are tend to be curious, friendly, and
generally people lovers. They also are intelligent and quick learners
and often react to scares in a curious manner instead of bolting. Another
thing, about the curlies, that I find very interesting and intruguing,
is that their hair is different from that of a regular horse. Besides
being curly, it generally is HYPOALLERGENIC! Many people who are allergic
to horses can be around, hug, pet, and ride a curly horse with little
to no reaction at all**. The curly hair which is fine and soft,can also
be collected each spring during shedding and can be spun into yarn. Some
horses, which are considered extreme curlie's will lose most of their
mane and tail each spring. Curly horses also have their own unique smell.
Some people have said it to be a musky odor, some have thought maybe like
a goat, and others have been unable to put the aroma into words. Willow
does smell differently then our QH, but definately not like a goat. It
is too hard to describe, but I find it to be a very pleasant aroma. To
quote a friend, who is allergic to regular horses, when asked how her
curly smells, she replied,
"They smell heavenly!"
For more information on the American Bashkir Curly, see
The American
Bashkir Curly Horse Registry
or
The
International Curly Horse Organization
The Curly Horse Rescue
Association
has been formed to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home Curly horses in need.
To learn more or to help,
Click
Here!
|
Our other Horses |
*Information obtained
from The Curly Horse in America:Myth and Mystery (a study funded by
C.S. Fund in 1989)
**Many curlies horses are hypoallergenic, but you should always ask
for a sample of hair before buying a curly to make sure you show no
signs of a reaction to that particular curly horse. Even some of the
minimal/straight curlies have been proven to show some hypoallergenic
qualities. Keep in mind though that some people find that they are allergic
not necessarily only to horses, but to the hay and the environment the
horse is kept in. Please note: If a curly horse is kept with straight
horses, one could experience an allergic reaction due to the dander/hair
from the straight horse getting on the curly.
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Wake up and smell the
Folate!
*Authors note on Folic Acid*
Folic acid is important for all woman of childbearing ages to
take daily, BEFORE they become pregnant, to help prevent birth
defects. It's recommended that a vitamin supplement containing at least
400mcgs be taken daily. Folic Acid is also good for men to take to help
prevent heart disease.
So...Have you taken your folic acid today?
To learn more about the importance of Folic Acid, Click
Here!
***All pictures/poems/original
work on this page or following pages are the property of T. Hajdo and
are not to be used without written consent of T.Hajdo***