Most of the Curly Horses (also called the American Bashkir Curly Horse) in existence today are descended from a group of three horses found wandering the mountain ranges of Nevada by the Damele family sometime in 1898. No one really knows how they got there, and we'll probably never know. They might have been brought to North America by the Spanish, Russians, or even the Vikings. Genetic testing has shown us that the Curly Horse is not its own unique breed. Instead, it is comprised of many other breeds including the Missouri Foxtrotter and the Morgan.
When a Curly Horse is first born, it has curly hair. Everywhere. The hair all over the body is tightly curled, as is the hair on the head, covering the legs, and even in the ears. The mane and tail are particularly curly. As the horse grows to maturity, the hair settles a bit. By two years of age, the hair lies mostly flat, though it is still curly enough to be noticed. Though many people believe Curly Horses have a running walk, this is actually not characteristic of the breed. Some horses will have a running walk. Others will not. There is great variety among these horses.
When it comes to color, almost anything goes. You can have blacks, bays, roans, palominos, and many other colors. Patterns and size also vary according to type. The most common type is the Curly Horse saddle type, so they tend to be what people are referring to when speaking of Curly Horses. As such, the standard size of 14.1 to 15.1 hands high applies specifically to the saddle type. Curly Horses are a viable option for some people who are allergic to horses as they are often hypo-allergic. This hypo-allergenic hair is also suitable for spinning and sweaters have been made for Curly Horse enthusiasts.
These curly coated horses occur in many varieties these days. You'll find ponies, gaited, sport, draft, and even miniature Curly Horses wandering the world. They are sure-footed, hardy, and nimble and can be found participating in sports such as gymkhana. They're also popular in western sports.
There is only one breed of horse native to the glimmering island of Ireland, and the Connemara Pony is that breed. If you go far enough back in time (to around the 5th century BCE), the native pony of Ireland (or Erin as it was called) looked more like a Shetland Pony than the Connemara Pony we're familiar with today. But Celtic raiders tend to change things, and the Irish pony was no exception. They bred the little horse with several different breeds, including the Arabian, Thoroughbred, Irish Draught, Irish Hobby, Welsh Cob, and the Spanish Jennet.
These breedings helped to establish the modern Connemara Pony, which is named for a small area along the west coast of Ireland bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay. This area is known for its rugged landscape and is made up of moorlands and bogs. This environment cultivated a sturdy and hardy pony, turning the Connemara into the ultimate sport pony. Though once used almost exclusively by Irish farmers (which tended to own only a single mare apiece), you can now see the Connemara Pony in jumping events all around the world. This breed is also frequently crossed with the Thoroughbred to create an exceptional event horse.
The Connemara Pony is indeed a pony, but it's a large one as ponies go, standing from 13 to 15 hands high. They come in a variety of colors, most commonly dun, brown, grey, and black. You will also sometimes see a Connemara with roan, chestnut, or even palomino coloring, though this is considered less desirable. The perfect jumping pony, this little breed has sloping shoulders and a long, arched neck. With thick and sturdy forelegs and strong thighs and hocks, this pony is considered sweet and beautiful by enthusiasts around the world.
When people think of draft horses, the image of the Clydesdale often springs to mind. Despite this, they are actually the youngest of the United Kingdom's heavy breeds. They originated in the Clyde Valley of Scotland, but prior to the 18th century none of the horses native to Scotland were heavy enough for the job they had to do. So in the 1700s native horses of Lanarkshire were bred to Flemish horses. This resulted in a horse with considerable bulk and height. This horse would eventually become the Clydesdale.
Though the Clydesdale didn't fully develop until the tail end of the 19th century, it spread quickly throughout the world. This draft breed was used to build most of the cities that rose from the 19th century onward, including cities in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Today, they are famous, but not for their contribution to the industries of the world. Instead, they achieved fame through the advertising campaigns of Anheuser Busch. You will find teams of these powerful horses (commonly referred to as "Budweiser Horses") at Anheuser Busch theme parks all across the United States.
The Clydesdale can present in a variety of colors. Bay, roan, black, brown, or grey are all common, as are the white feathers and white marking so characteristic of the breed. These horses are the showoffs of the draft horses and have a flashy, high-stepping motion. They stand 16 to 18 hands high and have huge feet.
The feet are of particular interest. In fact, it should be noted that their feet are larger than almost any other draft horse. So large that in the days of horse-driven farming, their feet did not fit into the plow furrows. Because of this, they tended to be used more in cities and towns and less on the farms, but there are exceptions to this rule.
Besides their presence at Anheuser Busch theme parks, you will find Clydesdales throughout the world. They are often used for historical or hobby farming, but they are more impressive as a driving horse. You'll find them pulling wagons and sleighs in all weather. They are a prime choice for the popular horse-drawn carriage, mostly because they are so beautiful and move with such quick precision.
