More About McCurdys

 
 
BACKGROUND 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 requiring good durable horses to oversee and work the land. When the Tennessee Walking Horse registry was established in the early 1940’s, the McCurdy family registered their own horses as Tennessee Walkers. Many McCurdy bred horses are in the original Foundation Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse . Over time, as their reputations and prominence grew, others began breeding their stock to the McCurdy family horses. Thus there developed in Lowndes County and throughout Central Alabama a breed known simply as the “McCurdys”, or “McCurdy Walkers”. VERSATILITY Plantation era people needed a horse that was versatile in use, comfortable to ride, of calm disposition, and dependable. The early McCurdy horses filled this need in every respect. They were often ridden 30 to 40 miles a day to oversee the plantation work. They were ridden into town hitched to a wagon or a buggy, to a plow to farm, to herd livestock, to fox hunt, or transport children safely to school. McCurdy Plantation Horses have a very calm, easy going temperament making them unequaled as personal and family horses. They excel at many tasks such as trail riding, field trialing, endurance riding, driving, and working livestock. In the days when horses were the primary mode of transportation, the McCurdys were especially noted for their endurance and stamina. Some McCurdy Horses are known to have natural “cow-savvy” or cow herding instincts. Many have excellent dispositions for children or novices to begin their riding experience. Their calm attitude, combined with an easy, comfortable gait produces enjoyment and confidence in riders resulting in life-long horse love affairs! GAITS McCurdy Plantation Horses are naturally gaited and usually require little training. They can be ridden without shoes or with just a regular keg shoe. A balanced natural foot works best. Their natural saddle gait is commonly referred to as the “McCurdy Lick”. It is a straight forward, lateral, four-beat, single footing type of gait that is extremely smooth. They also perform the flat walk and running walk, and many will perform the rack. In different regions of the country the McCurdy Lick has been referred to locally in varying terms, such as “saddling”, “racking” and “single-footing”. In all cases, it is a very smooth comfortable gait that literally can be ridden all day without rider fatigue. Newborn foals exhibit the gait naturally from birth, and can be seen “hitting the Lick” as they hurry to keep alongside their dams. DESCRIPTION OF THE MCCURDYS The McCurdy Horse ranges in height from 14.2 to 16+ hands, averaging around 15 hands. Generally refined in appearance with a rounded hip and broad chest, short back, heavy manes and tails, and good bone and hard hooves. The color gray is prevalent among the breed. There are also many bay, black, and red roans, as well as solid colors. White markings below the knee and on the face are also common. MCCURDY PLANTATION HORSE REGISTRY AND ASSOCIATION In 1993 the McCurdy Plantation Horse Association was formed on an informal basis to bring together owners and fanciers of the old-time McCurdy Plantation Horse. In 1995 the McCurdy Plantation Horse Registry was founded for the purpose of registering horses of known McCurdy ancestry that also meet the breed standards. The McCurdy Plantation Horse Association was incorporated to assure that there would be an ongoing organization to promote the attributes of this historic breed. For Information on Association and Registry: McCurdy Plantation Horse Association Ed S. McCurdy, Jr. 1020 Houston Park Selma, AL 36701 334-872-5412 LINKS OF INTEREST: The McCurdy Plantation Horse Association Destiny Hills Ranch, Texas Drakes Creek Farm, Kentucky Oak Hill Farm, Alabama Bentoak Farm, Alabama Berry Hill Walkers, Montana McCurdy’s Hallelujah  McCurdy’s Mischief Maker and her friend, Alexa ! http://www.mccurdyhorses.comhttp://geocities.com/mccurdyladyhttp://www.drakescreekfarm.comhttp://www.oakhillfarmmccurdys.comhttp://www.bentoakfarm.comhttp://www.walking-horse.com/berryhill/shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5

Directors of McCurdy Plantation Assoc













       Directors and Advisory Board













McCurdy Exhibit at NWHA  Nationals

                                 2007




























    Roy Rogers and June Snook

First McCurdy Plantation Horse

                    Production Sale


















                         June Snook

   Northwest  Horse Fair and Expo

          J-Bar Farm and Kennel

       McCurdy and Stallion Exhibit













                 J-Bar Farm pastures

The McCurdy Plantation Horse

June and McCurdy’s New Tradition

    Tammy and  Iron Mason

   Pixie and Iron Rebel

Colleen and Ragin’ Cajun