Most Curlies are of medium size, but they can also be found in pony and draft sizes. They resemble the early-day Morgan Horse in conformation. A number of traits link this unique breed with the primitive horse. Since Curlies have been crossed with other breeds due to their own scarcity, they come in all colors, even with Appaloosa or Pinto markings. The curly coat of a Curly Horse is what distinguishes it most from all other horse breeds.
Curly Horses have coats in varying degrees of curliness.
Many coat patterns have been observed, from a crushed velvet effect, to a perfect Marcel wave to extremely tight curls over the entire body. It is the winter coat of long curls that most represents a Curly. Their body coats shed out in the summer and become wavy or fairly straight on their bodies. Curlies have a mane, which splits down the middle leaving curly ringlets hanging on both sides of the neck. The mane hair is usually fine and soft.