Posts Tagged ‘pet’

Curly horses have a certain gene which causes their hair to curl. In addition to curls in their coat, they may have curls in any or all other hair (such as the tail, mane, or even eyelashes). The growing popularity of this group of horses is due to:

1) Hypoallergenic. Most people who have an allergy to horses find that they have no allergy to curly horses or have a reduced allergic reaction.

2) Appearance. The curls or waves in the coat of these horses gives them a unique appearance, which many people find attractive.

3) Feel. It is a special pleasure to groom and pet these horses, due to the soft and yielding feel of their coats.

4) Behavior. These horses are known for being unusually calm and sensible, characteristics apparently bred into their bloodlines.

The curly hair genes are found in all sizes of horses, from draft horses and standard horses, down to miniatures. They occur with all colors of horses and all builds.

The type of curl varies from horse to horse. It can be large and heavy, or small, or even fine pin curls, or waves instead of curls. Sometimes the coat is straight as in a common horse, in which case the horse is identified as a curly horse only by the fact that its parents were curlies and that it displays the other characteristics (e.g. hypoallergenic).

As the above shows, there is a great deal of diversity in curlies (size, color, build, curl characteristics). This diversity is partly due to the fact that the curly genes are naturally occurring and there has not been a long term breeding program to develop a uniform set of characteristics against a breed standard. In fact, an official breed standard has not yet been agreed. Consequently, one should feel free to choose a curly horse which one finds attractive without worrying greatly as to whether the horse fits a certain standard.

The coat changes with both age and season. The winter coat shows the greatest curl, while in many horses (depending on the bloodline and individual) the summer coat is straighter, often with thinner and shorter hair in the mane and tail. Consequently, a given horse may look completely different at a different time of year. Before buying a curly horse, if appearance is important, ask to see the horse (or photos thereof) in winter and summer. Also check horses of the same bloodline but different ages to determine the expected changes as the horse gets older.

If you are choosing a curly because these horses are hypoallergenic, be aware that the extent of this quality varies from horse to horse and that the benefit varies from person to person. Consequently, any combination of horse and person may exhibit no allergy, a reduced allergy, or the usual horse allergy. Therefore, one should test the person with the horse to determine the extent of the benefit. If one has extreme allergic reactions, take medical advice on how to do this test safely.

Unlike other horses, the curly horse is normally not clipped for show purposes. This is because, unlike most breeds, its winter coat is considered particularly attractive and its distinguishing characteristic. Curly horses are also known as Bashkir Curlies, American Bashkir Curlies, or North American Curly Horses.

Living through the financial crisis is difficult enough, but add horses and ponies which depend on you for food, protection and medical care, every little bit helps.

It’s a shame that many horses and ponies are abandoned or given up every week, as horse lovers fight to cope with the current economic climate.

This is exceptionally thorny for horse charities and Sara Tuppen from the Horse Refuge in Wittersham Kent is an expert about looking after horses when money is limited, living off on donations to keep over 40 saved horses in good health. 

She lists below a few points which could help make owning a pony on a tight budget more manageable:

 1.      Many horses can exist quite happily outside for most of the year, as long as there’s food, water and protection to harsh elements available. Could this be an option for your horse, it could reduce the cost of stabling considerably.

2.      Removing shoes is an easy way to keep costs down. If not ridden regularly, or on rocky ground, most horses will not need shoes.

3.      Sharing your horse is a great way to reduce (even divide in two!) costs, and provides a cheaper introduction to horse ownership for someone else.

4.      Frequently you can get free stabling and sometimes hay and bedding in return for doing jobs. Mucking out, grooming, maintenance etc. are all tasks which could save you cash for a  little hard work!

5.      Vets bills are an unknown factor but must be considered. If money’s a little difficult, you may find a lot of Vets will consider spreading the costs, and pay in instalments.

6.      Most people can make lifestyle changes! It’s not all about finding ways to keep your horse more cheaply, see if you can do it for yourself!

7. What about your other pets, you may have put animals in boarding, what about a pet sitter? The pet may prefer it and the pet sitters often do other things.

8.      Is it possible that you can club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the total price and passing on savings to all.

9.      I hope it does not come to it, you can look into getting your horse a foster home, even as a companion.

  If you’re in a position to loan, or even buy a horse or pony, there are many horses and ponies that are for sale, try a good directory such as the Horse and Pony Directory.