what's in a whorl?

[outandabout]

Another livery was looking at my horse the other day and noticed the triple whorl on his forehead, and said "Ooh that means he's magic!"

Anyone ever heard anything like this before? I know about the prophet's thumb etc, but hadn't heard of this one! Where are your horse's whorls?

 

[Crazy Friesian]

There is a very interesting article by Linda Tellington-Jones (Ttouch / Tteam). For the life of me I cant find it. Some very interesting anecdotal stuff "handed down thru generations" from horsemen all over the world.

For example: The bedouin wont touch a horse that has a long "wheatsheaf" type whorl on its chest (not the usual ones a lot of horses have). They believe that such horses are dangerous, a sign of "rage" as in someone ripping open their shirt in anger. There is a story that someone she "knew" / heard of, bought such a horse whilst out "that way". Basically took pity on it. The horse put her in hospital, from memory...

Try googling Linda Tellington-Jones Swirls. As an aside I think she collects data from people detailing their horses whorls and their personality traits...

 

[Cuppatea]

with racehorses, the direction the whorl goes around in - clockwise/anti-clockwise is the preferred direction the horse likes on the track! Usually true too!

 

[NicoleS_007]

Ohhh interesting thread My horse had lots of whirls lol Im off to google this now

 

[NicoleS_007]

Found this ...
• A whorl on the chest meant prosperity.
• A whorl on the girth was a sign of good fortune and an increase in flocks.
• Whorls on the flank were known as 'spur whorls' and if curved up, safety in battle or if inclined downwards, prosperity. The Byerley Turk, an Arabian who is one of the founding sires for the Thoroughbred breed, was said to have been born with the Whorl of the Spurs and was never injured in the many battles he was ridden in.
• The whorl of the Sultan was found on the windpipe and meant love and prosperity.
They also believed in evil whorls:
• A whorl above the eye meant the master will die from a head injury.
• The whorl of the coffin was one positioned close to the withers, sloping downwards towards the shoulder and meant the rider will die in the saddle.
• A whorl on the horse's cheek meant debt and ruin.
• A whorl on one side of the tail means misery and famine.
• A whorl positioned above the eyes is the most common and indicates a horse with an uncomplicated nature.
• Horses with whorls below the eyes usually have above average intelligence and like to make a nuisance of themselves by opening gates etc.
• Whorls positioned on the left of the face indicate a complicated but trustworthy horse, while horses with whorls on the right can be uncooperative.
• Horses with one long whorl line (also called a 'feather mark' and is the equivalent of a human hair part) are people-friendly and Linda says that a horse with this type or whorl who isn't friendly should be investigated as it’s likely they are in pain or being abused.
• Horses with two adjoining whorls can be emotional and difficult to handle and do not make good mounts for inexperienced riders.
• Three whorls on the forehead is extremely rare and can indicate an unpredictable horse or, if a stallion, dangerous to handle.

 

[TinselRider]

Found this ...
.
• Three whorls on the forehead is extremely rare and can indicate an unpredictable horse or, if a stallion, dangerous to handle.

My mr B has this, also a long whorl on his face, he is neither dangerous nor unpredictable Come to think of it my old grey had the triangle whorls on his forehead too


B also has a whorl below his eye line...... likes to open doors.....he has let him self out of every stable he has been in!!


Tri- whorl dotted for ease of viewing

 

[Horseantics]

Dr Temple Grandin has done studies on this, she observed cows as well so a lot of info on that, i became interested because my horse has unusual hair whorls all over his body and has two on his forehead which suggests athleticism, which is so true of him for a big horse (18.1hh)

http://www.grandin.com/references/abstract-4.html

Just google Temple Grandin Whorls, it becomes very interesting if you start looking at horses and their temperament, but obviously others factors such as exercise, feeding etc have to be taken into consideration.

 

[Crazy Friesian]

Found this ...
• A whorl on the chest meant prosperity.
• A whorl on the girth was a sign of good fortune and an increase in flocks.
• Whorls on the flank were known as 'spur whorls' and if curved up, safety in battle or if inclined downwards, prosperity. The Byerley Turk, an Arabian who is one of the founding sires for the Thoroughbred breed, was said to have been born with the Whorl of the Spurs and was never injured in the many battles he was ridden in.
• The whorl of the Sultan was found on the windpipe and meant love and prosperity.
They also believed in evil whorls:
• A whorl above the eye meant the master will die from a head injury.
• The whorl of the coffin was one positioned close to the withers, sloping downwards towards the shoulder and meant the rider will die in the saddle.
• A whorl on the horse's cheek meant debt and ruin.
• A whorl on one side of the tail means misery and famine.
• A whorl positioned above the eyes is the most common and indicates a horse with an uncomplicated nature.
• Horses with whorls below the eyes usually have above average intelligence and like to make a nuisance of themselves by opening gates etc.
• Whorls positioned on the left of the face indicate a complicated but trustworthy horse, while horses with whorls on the right can be uncooperative.
• Horses with one long whorl line (also called a 'feather mark' and is the equivalent of a human hair part) are people-friendly and Linda says that a horse with this type or whorl who isn't friendly should be investigated as it’s likely they are in pain or being abused.
• Horses with two adjoining whorls can be emotional and difficult to handle and do not make good mounts for inexperienced riders.
• Three whorls on the forehead is extremely rare and can indicate an unpredictable horse or, if a stallion, dangerous to handle.

Really interesting stuff. I assume you are talking about Linda Tellington-Jones? She has a whole section in one of her books on markings, expression (eyes, ears, shape of face, size and set of nostrils, etc) Its all the things she considers when assessing a horse. One of my horses has a "heart shaped" muzzle and I have to say he is one of the most gentle, loving and trusting horses I have ever known.

 

[Toffee44]

How many people are gonna go up the yard tonight and have a look at whorls, muzzles etc I am lol

 

[KatB]

Horses with one long whorl line (also called a 'feather mark' and is the equivalent of a human hair part) are people-friendly and Linda says that a horse with this type or whorl who isn't friendly should be investigated as it’s likely they are in pain or being abused.

This is very interesting! Madam has the BIGGEST feathered whorl on her neck, and is generally very friendly and people orientated Apparently in Ireland the type of whorl she has (never seen it before) is considered lucky, hence her name....

She is very whorly, so off to investigate