We hear some people say "I can't wear wool, I'm allergic." There are a few myths we would like to dispel out there about natural fibers. Did you know that many people are not allergic to the fibers themselves, but actually the lanolin found on wool, not mohair. Lanolin which can hold bacteria and other allergy stimulants, can be washed off the fibers. There is grease found on mohair, however all our mohair and wool is washed when processed and thus contains virtually no grease or lanolin. Dry-cleaning reduces this to zero. Also, some people react to processing chemicals sometimes used. All our yarn that is processed at the mill is washed without harsh chemicals. All hairy surfaces collect dust, a main factor responsible for allergic reactions. Keeping items clean helps to reduce this irritant.
Topical reactions (rashes) are usually due to the coarseness of the fibers, regardless of the fibers being synthetic or natural. This is why we use the different "grades" of mohair for different applications. We have also noticed that some people who are genuinely allergic to wool do not react to mohair, and find it has many healing properties.
It has become evident that many people who normally have allergic reactions to various degrees to "regular" horses, do not react to the Curly Horse.
This has given the title to this breed of being hypo-allergenic. We have witnessed this phenomenon with two members of our family (much to our delight!).
There are some noted differences in the fiber of the Curlies in comparison to "regular" horses. The hair is round on the Curly as opposed to flat, and has barbs likening it much to mohair fiber (right up my alley!).
If you are allergic to horses or know someone who is and you are going to visit a "Curly Horse" farm, there are some things to keep in mind. Try to visit them when there are as least other reactive elements around as possible (e.g. no pollen fluff flying off the poplar trees). Ask to have contact with only a Curly that has not been housed/pastured with "regular" or "straight" (a curly bred horse that carries a straight coat) horse, as that hair may be on the Curly that you wish to test for reaction. The horse can be bathed as well to ensure it does not have the straight hair on it, when you come into contact with it.
Also be careful that any halters, ropes, blankets, brushes, etc. are used only on the Curly, as highly allergic people can react to these items and not the horse.
Most importantly, please carry your medications for allergic reaction with you. In general this breed has been found to be hypo-allergenic, but there are exceptions. However, it is certainly worth investigating if you are a horse lover and are suffering now or doing without totally. We have known of highly allergic people to rub and hug a Curly without reaction and it has changed there lives forever.