The Curly Horses of Cottonwood Hollow
We love our American Curly Horses and are happy to share a little about them here with you. Like any community, they bring s wealth of personality, strengths and weaknesses, leadership from different individuals under different circumstances, differing communication styles, conflict resolution strategies, emotional regulation, and reminders to notice, but then let it go and get back to grazing... or cuddling.
Heather's Star Xandra
Xandra was born November 13, 2006, Xandra chose me at a time when I was merely intending on meeting the breed, not acquiring any horses. She was so clear about the connection though, I couldn't say no. And so my Curly horse adventures began. Xandra taught me so much about the transformative effects of unconditional love, of how much generational beliefs and patterns of behavior can be called into question and extinguished in an extremely short time. Xandra has taught me a lot about friendship, about relationships, about clear communication, emotional regulation, and love.
Fjorgen Love Eve
Eve was born October 6, 2019, out of Xandra, sired by Bjorgen of Salt Wells, our American Curly Mustang stallion. Eve is the baby of the band and true to that role gets away with pretty much everything. She is such a darling, curious, inquisitive, and so clever. Eve is the one who figures out how to open gates and then lets her band mates out with her to go travel the neighborhood, meet new friends, and grazing opportunities. Eve has also observed the collies out herding sheep and attempts to emulate their efforts, which is endearing and alarming to behold, the sheep are not amused, nor are the collies for that matter.
SGR Rain Dancer Aurora
Rora was born August 10, 2010, out of our beloved Epona, sired by our beloved Rhys, both leaving huge holes in their early departures. Rora is a smaller carbon copy of her mother and so kind, considerate, inviting, gentle. She chose our son Torleif, while he was still in utero, giving him the breathes of greeting. Once outside, she's looked out for him and all of our children, invites them up to ride, and helps all of us remember earlier days in our shared evolution of clear communication, consent, and community.
Sonora
Sonora was born September 15, 2015, out of Rora, sired by Sandor. Sonora is built like a tank, is so kind and gentle. As Rora chose Torleif, so too did Sonora choose Lucian. Sonora is built like her grandmother Epona, the epitome of how a curly should be built. Standing 14.3hh, stout, with gentle gaits, and a kind disposition. She is a pleasure to ride for Zak (6' muscular build) as she is for any child. She is a constant companion with her half sister Eir and plays well with Eve too, she bridges so many life strands and knowings.
Sleipner's Eir
Eir was born May 16, 2014, out of Memri, sired by Sandor. At just a few days old she tried to jump her grazing mother. Her star pattern looks a bit like a gargoyle pondering their next flight. Eir is such an intelligent, athletic, and kind individual, an absolute joy to hear her welcoming nickers. Being half warmblood, Eir is a little more zingy than the rest of the band, which has been an interesting dynamic, brings a whole other energy and way of being. Friendly, content to be cuddled and loved, and delightful to behold and be bonded with too.
Statistics
American Curly Horses are a rare breed of horse. "Strong enough for a Man, Gentle enough for a Child" is an oft. quipped tag line for them. I encountered them early in my Equine Assisted Coaching endeavors, coaching a group of Boeing Executives, 5 of the participants learned they were allergic to horses that day. I immediately went in search of the "Poodle of the Horse World" and came across American Curly Horses. They are a trait breed, meaning their external curls do not always show, and in fact even among those with thick ringlets of curls in the winter, many are hardly distinguishable from any other horse come summer as they shed those curls to smooth coats, although the ringlets in their manes and tails remain, for those who keep them 9it's quite normal from some in the breed to shed those to pretty scarce remains in the summer too, harsh for fly control).
Finding any near me proved challenging, as they are a rare breed. However once I did I was in awe of them; sure their luscious coats of curls are amazing, but their personalities, their love of humans is really heart warming and amazing. They love having people visit them, cuddling, and connecting, they're smart, inquisitive, kind, and engaging.
Curlies were once thought to originate from Russian Bashkir Curly horses, hence initially being called Bashkir Curly Horses. However that hypothesis has since been debunked and as such most people involved with them have switched to calling them American Curly Horses, as all of them originated from the American Mustangs. The gene mutation giving them their curls and hypoallergenic trait is thought to be an adaptation to severe cold climates where they are found in Nevada, Wyoming, and Colorado. So interesting that those curls give them a natural predisposition towards relationships with humans too. Even the curlies in the holding pens are noted to be more inclined to stand and face new comers, rather than bolt away, curious. Much is being learned, and yet to be learned about these curious, cuddly, curly creatures. What is known though is that they are a true pleasure to know and connect with.
So, come on over, curly up, and cuddle.
Contact us and schedule a Curly Cuddle session!!
15%
of people are allergic to horses in the world; many people allergic to cats are allergic to horses as well.
345,674,164
Humans in the United States
2,000
American Curly Horses in the United States
7.2 million
Horses in the United States
4,000
American Curly Horses in the World
60 million
Horses globally
8.2 billion
Humans globally as of 2024
Gallery
We love our Curlies and sharing them with the world. They love curling up and cuddling. Enjoy, and be sure to schedule a visit!