There is evidence of curly coated horses in the St Louis, Missouri area around 1890, and there are reports of curly horses in South America at this time as well. Wherever the Curly Horse came from, their wonderful characteristics continue to delight today's American Curly owners. However all colors, including pinto and appaloosa spotted, are produced. With an exceptional desire to please and more than their share of common sense, Curlies are remarkably versatile and easy to train. There are just over 2000 registered, but they are beginning to establish an impressive record competing in a number of disciplines including English and Western Pleasure, Dressage, Jumping, and Endurance.
Curlies are willing, intelligent, people-oriented creatures that thrive on affection.
They make particularly good pleasure and trail horses and are ideal as an all-around family horse. Curlies seem to delight in and seek out human company. They display an affinity for people almost from the moment of birth. The Curly's most visible characteristic is their curly coat, but the gentle disposition and desire to please are also believed to be genetically passed along. One of the first priorities for breeders is to maintain the Curly's naturally docile disposition.