Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Whorls


Horses have whorls/cowlicks on their foreheads. Most horses also have cowlicks on their neck and hips.  Whorls are like fingerprints in people.  Each is unique and never changes. Some breed's require documentation of these "fingerprints" in order to register a horse with their association.

Some believe the shape and location of forehead whorls can lend a hand in knowing the temperament and trainability of a horse. 

These are a few I can think of:
  • Right between and above the eyes is ideal.
  • Whorls below the eyes mean a horse is very smart and can be a tricksters, learning to open gates, escaping their stall, etc.
  • Whorls left of the face can mean a horse is sensitive but can be trusted.
  • Horses with a whorl to the right aren't very cooperative.
  • Long whorl line are usually horses that love people.
  • Two whorls together equal a moody horse who is hard to handle and thus aren't good for newbie/beginner riders.
  • Three whorls on the forehead are the least desirable.  Horses with three are often mean horses and can be "crazy" acting.
Many people will tell horse owners/breeders/trainers to walk through their barns.  The best horses in their barn will have center whorls on the forehead which are slightly above the eyes.  


(All in great fun. Also blog on color of horses, whorles, cowlicks on other parts of a horse's body.)


Above center  - toward right eye

Center - toward left eye

Center above eyes


Center- above eyes


Center

Slightly above eye toward left eye


Longer whorl toward right eye