Breeds: Bashkir, the curly horse

Despite our familiarity with horses, few people know that there is a particularly fascinating breed characterised by curly hair: the Bashkir.

The Bashkir is a horse breed originating from the Bashkir people, who reside in a region historically located in the southern Urals, Bashkortostan, a republic within the Russian Federation. The roots of this breed date back to prehistoric times.

Although there is no universally defined breed standard, Bashkir horses share certain physical characteristics. The head is massive, the neck is short and well muscled, while the withers are low and flat. The back is generally broad and tends to be straight, as are the shoulders, which are also straight.

The Bashkir has a broad, well-proportioned body with a wide girth and long, well-rounded ribs. Its legs are short and positioned to support its sturdy body. The shin is well proportioned to the horse’s size, the pasterns are straight, and the feet are solid and resistant, perfect for tackling the difficult terrain of the steppes and mountains.

The distinctive feature of this breed is undoubtedly its thick, curly coat, which allows it to survive extreme temperatures that can drop to -30 degrees Celsius! When the climate is milder, the Bashkir’s coat takes on a more wavy appearance, while still maintaining its distinctive texture. Another particularly interesting aspect of this breed is the absence of the protein that usually causes allergies and intolerances in contact between horses and humans, making it ideal even for people who suffer from horse allergies.

With its unique coat and robust physical characteristics, the Bashkir is one of the most fascinating and resilient breeds in the equine world, perfectly adapted to living in extreme environments.