Our Story – Corrib Curly Horses
We are a family of six, living near Lough Corrib in Oughterard, Co. Galway. Enda is a farmer, and I teach French and English in a Secondary School.
We have three daughters and one son. Our family’s carefree life changed dramatically when our second daughter, Annalise, was born with severe food, dust, and animal allergies. From her earliest days, she has struggled with asthma, eczema, and respiratory/inhalant allergies.
Everyday life constantly compromises her immune system. Originally, we lived in Co. Kilkenny — a region known for its intensive tillage farming. Unfortunately, the ever-present allergens made life extremely difficult for Annalise. We relocated to Co. Galway seeking cleaner air and a better quality of life for her.
Finding Hope with Paris
For a long time, even the dream of having a family pet seemed impossible. Multiple attempts ended with Annalise becoming seriously unwell. After many trials, we finally found a hypoallergenic companion in Paris, our beloved poodle. Thanks to the poodle’s unique coat, our children could finally experience the joy of a family dog.
A Love for Horses — Against All Odds
Despite her allergies, Annalise’s passion for horses never waned. However, she couldn’t enter arenas or paddocks without suffering severe allergic reactions — even touching horse equipment caused days of illness.
Yet, she never gave up. For years, Annalise independently researched Jak Curly Haras in Nantes, France, becoming fascinated by the idea of a “hypoallergenic horse.” Skeptical but hopeful, we finally agreed to visit the farm in 2023.
That visit changed everything. At first, standing near a horse was terrifying for Annalise. But then something remarkable happened: there was no immediate allergic reaction. Her joy was indescribable. Although there was a mild reaction after hours of contact, it was manageable — a world apart from her usual severe responses. Two days later, we returned. This time, Annalise even rode a horse — Oakesmir Shadow — for the first time in her life, without difficulty. It was a moment of pure magic
The Start of Corrib Curly Horses
