One of the highlights at the 136th edition of the Rural Exhibition in Palermo is the unique and eye-catching Curly Horses, which made their debut this year. These distinctive curly-haired horses captivated the audience, leaving them astonished and delighted, receiving warm applause as they trotted onto the sandy central arena. Unfortunately, this breed is endangered, making their appearance all the more significant.
What sets the Curly Horse apart is its unique wavy coat and gentle demeanor, making it an excellent choice for equine therapy. The breed has been preserved to prevent its disappearance, thanks to the efforts of the Rodríguez-Sede family, who established “Yeguada Rodríguez,” a family business dedicated to promoting, protecting, and breeding these extraordinary horses. Remarkably, there are only about 40 of these horses left, making them a rare treasure in South America.
Gerardo Rodríguez and Andrea Sede, the owners of Yeguada Rodríguez, spoke about their remarkable horses in an interview with Modo Fontevecchia on Net TV and Radio Perfil. They emphasized that these horses are special for several reasons. According to the International Curly Horse Organization, they are the only curly horses in South America, with a genetic makeup that differs from their U.S. counterparts. This unique genetic trait contributes to their calm and gentle nature.
During the winter months, these horses sport their iconic curls, but as they transition into November, they lose their curls and take on a regular short-haired appearance, retaining curls only in their ears, legs, and mane. An interesting fact is that their coat is hypoallergenic, making them suitable for individuals with allergies. The horses showcased at Expo Rural 2024 stand between 1.43 and 1.60 meters tall, with the average height for the breed ranging from 1.45 to 1.47 meters.
The rescue story of the Curly Horse is quite touching. Gerardo discovered these horses while working for a national agency in the Somuncurá Plateau, a vast 25,000 square kilometer area in Patagonia at an elevation of 1,200 meters. This remote region, characterized by rocky terrain and scarce water sources, demonstrated the breed’s incredible adaptability. When Gerardo first saw the horses, he mistook their appearance for that of a sick animal. However, the local farmer explained that these horses, once abundant, had dwindled in number due to food and water shortages.
In 2008, upon recognizing their value, Gerardo purchased a dozen or more of these horses. After acquiring them, they began to breed the remaining population. It took several years to establish a connection with the International Curly Horse Organization based in Texas. When they first reached out, the organization was skeptical, believing that Curly Horses were extinct in South America. They requested blood and mane samples for verification, but the samples unfortunately didn’t arrive. It wasn’t until 2019 that genetic biologist Dr. Mitch Wilkinson traveled to Argentina to visit the horses personally.
Genetic studies ultimately revealed exciting information about the breed’s origins. The results indicated that these horses have Spanish ancestry, likely arriving in Argentina during the 1536 expedition of Don Pedro de Mendoza or later with another expedition led by Bishop Trejo. Due to historical conflicts, the horses became isolated, adapting over centuries and developing the unique curly coat.
Proud of their remarkable breed, Gerardo and Andrea expressed, “These horses are truly beautiful. While we, as breeders, recognize this, it’s even more fulfilling to hear the same from others.” As Curly Horses competed for the first time under the new breed category, they received accolades, which allowed them to participate in the opening ceremony on July 28. Their presence at the Rural Exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the splendor of these rare horses.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/modo-fontevecchia/el-caballo-con-rulos-unico-en-sudamerica-llego-a-la-rural-modof.phtml
