McCurdy
Plantation Horses
Breed History:
The McCurdy Plantation Horse Breed was developed by the McCurdy family
of Lowndesboro, Lowndes County, Alabama, in the late 1800's and the
early 1900's. The McCurdy family were plantation owners, and needed
well-gaited, durable horses to oversee and work the land. When the
Tennessee Walking Horse Registry was established in the early 1930's,
the McCurdy family registered their own horses as Tennessee Walking
Horses (indeed, several McCurdy-bred horses are in the original
Foundation registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse). Over time, as
their reputation and prominence grew, others began breeding their stock
to McCurdy family horses. Thus developed in Lowndes County and
throughout Central Alabama, a breed known simply as the McCurdys, or
McCurdy Walkers.
Breed
Description:
The McCurdy Horse ranges in height from 14.2 to 16 hands, averaging 15
hands. Generally refined in appearance with a rounded hip and broad
chest, short back, heavy manes and tails, and good bone describe the
conformation.
The color gray is prevalent among the breed. There are also many bay
roans and red roans. Solid colors of chestnut, sorrel, bay and black
complete the palette of colors. White markings below the knee and on
the face are common.
Breed Gaits:
McCurdy Plantation Horses are naturally gaited. Their natural saddle
gait is commonly referred to as "the McCurdy lick." It is a straight
forward, lateral, four-beat, single-footing gait that is extremely
smooth.
They also perform the flat walk and running walk, the natural rack, and
an ambling stepping pace.
In all cases, it is a very smooth, comfortable gait that literally can
be ridden all day without rider fatigue. The McCurdy is noted for
giving a safe, secure, smooth ride in any terrain or condition.
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