Hair Reveals Horse Temperament
Hair Reveals Horse Temperament
The hair on your horse can tell you something about your horse's temperament, according to equine scientists in Poland. Researchers concluded that the location and shape of a hair swirl lying near a horse's eyes is linked with how the horse responds to handling and to new objects. The study was with Konik horses, some of which were reared in stables, while others roamed free in a forest reserve. Four types of facial whorls existed among the horses. The whorls were classified based on their location relative to the horse's eyes. One type of whorl was an elongated or double swirl of facial hair rather than a single circle. The various whorls became distinguished in two test situations. Horses with a single whorl located above the eyes were the most difficult to handle. In comparison, horses with a single whorl situated below or directly between their eyes were easier to manage. Horses with an elongated or double hair whorl were the most cautious of the groups in approaching a strange object. They took much longer than the single-whorled horses to approach and touch something new. Take a closer look at your horse. Is it time for a visit to the groomer, for a new hairstyle?