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. Some Curlies completely shed out the mane and sometimes tail hair each summer. The hair of the Curly has been found to be non-allergic to many people ordinarily allergic to horses. Curly Horses have particularly tough hoofs that are almost perfectly round in shape.
Curly Horses are extremely calm and gentle.
They delight in human companionship and respond to kindness and affection. Many taken off the open range, even as full-grown animals, are gentler than horses that have been handled for years. They have a proud carriage and are very alert. Since Curly Horses are unusually intelligent, learn quickly, and have a remarkable memory, they have an uncanny ability to do all that is asked of them. They have won awards in such events as Western Riding, Western Pleasure, Reining, Gymkhana, Hunter, Jumper, Roping, English Equitation, Dressage, Gaited Pleasure and Driving.