North American Curly Horse Inspection Program


Inspection Procedure (may vary slightly according to country):

 still needs UPDATING but this is the first draft.

1) Identification. Horses check in, fees paid, horses documented for true identity entry form is filled out.
  • ICHO/NACHR/ECHR registration papers
  • DNA test results
  • Also, (optional) microchip, whorls, photographs, brand &/or Universal Equine Life Number.
  • The term "breeder" of a horse on the entry form is defined as the person owning the dam of the horse at the time of service (its conception).


2) Initial Judge inspection or Vet Check. Horses are inspected by judge or a veterinarian for genetic faults. They must pass vet inspection before going on to rest of evaluation procedures.

3) Physical Assessment. Horses are measured, (perhaps photographed), weighed, assessed & data is recorded.

SIZE: Horses are measured and categorized by height at the withers whereas:

·         large horse = max xxx cm
·         standard horse = xxx - xxx cm
·         small horse = max 160 cm
·         kat I pony = max 148 cm
·         kat II pony = max 140 cm
·         kat III pony = max 130 cm
·         kat VI pony = max 107 cm


Body Score: (basically a ratio of body fat to muscle)

Barefoot or Shod: is recorded

Conditioning: (degree of muscle development & physical fitness)


4) Inspection:

Horses are presented before judge(s) for live inspection in conformation and/or performance evaluations:

1) a conformation evaluation, shown in hand, with horse movement presented in hand or at liberty; and

2) a "performance" test - in the form of riding or driving classes decided by judge.


GAIT: Horses that are soft-gaited will be recorded as such. If qualified gait judge(s) are present the horse will be gait evaluated at place. Otherwise the horse will bring documentation from previous gait evaluation.


PRESENTATION: Curly Horses are not required to be clipped in order to be considered properly turned out for public appearance. Important identifying Curly Horse traits include curly hair inside their ears, at the fetlocks, and in a spiraling mane, all of which may be presented naturally.


Aids: All tack should be safe and clean, humane, fit to the horse and appropriate to the horse's age and education. No extra devices allowed. ICAMS supports horses being presented with no artificial aids or mechanical devices designed to enhance or restrict any movement - and the least severe tack (minimal use of chain shanks, curb bits, etc.) However laws of local governance must take priority. Any horse not under control will be excused until such time as it is under control. If it misses the evaluation due to continued behavior problems, it is welcome to re-apply at another inspection, but fees are forfeited.




5) Records:

Results: Owner may write questions on the scorecard before evaluation?; the judge may write any response after the evaluation.

PUBLISHING: Copies of original evaluation score card are available to registered owner of horse. List of APPROVED Horses will be published in the ICHO Gazette - ICAMS Report. (actual scores available to ICHO members by request).

HORSES NOT APPROVED do not have scores to publish. They are welcome to apply again for approval at another inspection.

All inspection results are recorded by ICHO for ICAMS use (included young stock, geldings and part inspected horses)

All records may be used in judging progeny.

Proposed: Set up formula to provide a progeny indicator value using the total number of known offspring and % number inspected - just for an indicator, NOT a score: provides an indication of reliability & predictability of progeny score.



ICAMS  |  NACHIP  |  Judge's Handbook