Ponies with a curly coat have a noticeably different textured coat with curls. The curls are more apparent in the winter coat. The mane and tail are also curled. Many foal coats have a curly appearance but lose it after shedding the foal coat. The coat of a curly coated foal is more pronounced and remains with the pony thorough it's life.
There are two testable curly genes, KRT25 and SP6, that are dominant. There are five more that are known but not testable. It's likely there are many more curly genes, current and past. Research is ongoing, check out the International Curly Horse Organization for more information.
The curly coated Chincoteagues appear to have a recessive version as the parents aren't curly. The non-curly Dreamcatcher produced two curly coated foals sired by Wild Bill; Dreamdancer and Chincoteague Island Midnight. Dreamdancer's only foal did not have a curly coat. The Maryland herd had one curly coated mare Sienna Belle/N9BO-A who had no offspring and her parents weren't curly coated.
There are two testable curly genes, KRT25 and SP6, that are dominant. There are five more that are known but not testable. It's likely there are many more curly genes, current and past. Research is ongoing, check out the International Curly Horse Organization for more information.
The curly coated Chincoteagues appear to have a recessive version as the parents aren't curly. The non-curly Dreamcatcher produced two curly coated foals sired by Wild Bill; Dreamdancer and Chincoteague Island Midnight. Dreamdancer's only foal did not have a curly coat. The Maryland herd had one curly coated mare Sienna Belle/N9BO-A who had no offspring and her parents weren't curly coated.
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Black tobiano with a curly coat. As a foal and as a yearling.
Dreamdancer (Wild Bill x Dreamcatcher) Pedigree Foal photo courtesy of Matt DesJardins. |
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Solid chestnut with a curly coat. Maryland Assateague herd.
Sienna Belle/N9BO-A (Oreo x N9BO) Pedigree Photos courtesy of Cally Mack. |