Let's talk about swirls. Somebody asked where Journey's swirl is located, so I thought it would be interesting to post some info on horse swirls and share my experiences.
I got the following information from http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/TrainingTips111.html
According to Linda Tellington-Jones, you can analyze your horse's personality based on his facial swirls and this is discussed in Linda-Tellington Jones' book, Getting in Touch: Understand and Influence Your Horse's Personality.
What are facial swirls? Facial swirls are kind of like the "cowlick" that humans have in the hair on their head -- which is a lock or tuft of hair growing in a different direction from the rest of the hair, usually in a circular pattern. Well, horses have them too, these "cowlick" swirls, but they have them somewhere on their face. According to Linda Tellington-Jones (the founder of T-Touch), based on her research, you can assess a horse's personality based on the location of, and even number of, swirls you find there on the horse's face.
Linda talks about the swirls on horses' faces being like our fingerprints and, like fingerprints, no two are just alike, and some breed associations even use them as identification marks. Linda has studied facial swirls since 1965 and has found her assessments to hold true about 70% of the time. She says you have to look at other factors as well, such as ears, eyes, mouth, not just look at the swirls, to deduce personality traits. Sometimes, she says, other physical characteristics will override the swirl in character/personality assessment.
Linda describes several types of horse facial swirls and what they mean:
1. A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature, but there are variations. Swirls may be set to one side or the other. Swirls set to the left as you face the horse will tend to indicate a bit more complicated horse, but still trustworthy. Swirls set to the right may be less cooperative horses than those with center or to the left swirls. In general, swirls of this sort are less indicative of character than the more complex patterns.
2. A single swirl several inches below the eyes, Linda found 80% of horses with this feature are unusually imaginative and intelligent. They like to amuse themselves creatively like: turn on water, open stall doors, untying complicated knots ("locking picking" horses), find ways to escape pastures ("Horse Houdini's"), etc. These horses are usually of above average intelligence and are interesting characters to deal with.
3. A single long swirl that may be between the eyes, or extend below, indicates a horse who is friendly and particularly enjoys relating to people.
4. Two swirls adjoining, either one above the other, or side by side -- these can be above, between, or below the eyes and are sometimes set at an angle to each other: Horses with this tend to be more emotional and over-reactive than average. They tend to become upset without apparent reason, and at unexpected moments. When such horses blow up, the best way to handle them is to back off and allow them to settle. Punishing them doesn't help; in fact it usually only aggravates the behavior more and can even bring on more resistance. However, Linda says, a horse like this can be a great horse; she has had some of her best show horses with this configuration, but generally, horses with this pattern are not ideal for inexperienced riders.
5. Three swirls close together on the forehead (not up under the forelock) is rare. In geldings and mares this indicates a complex individual but not an unpredictable one; stallions, however, with three swirls are another story -- about 80% of the stallions Linda has observed having this three-swirl marking have exhibited unreliable, often dangerous behavior.
Linda feels the best way to use facial swirls in analyzing horse personality is to evaluate them in conjuction with all other characteristics of the horse's head.
So now let's share Journey's swirl...and the swirls on all my other horses. I'd love for folks to share comments about their horses' swirls.
Journey's swirl is located directly in the center, slightly above her eyes.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature.
My findings: Journey seems to be fairly easy going so far. She has some timid tendencies from lack of handingly, but mostly I'd call her the average horse.
Baylee's swirl is located directly in the center of her eyes.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature.
My findings: I would say Baylee would fit more into the single whorl below the eyes category. She is definitely an instigator. In fact, she is in the paddock next to Journey right now because she won't stay in the pasture with the other horses.
Dance's swirl is located above his eyes, but slightly to the right.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature, but there are variations. Swirls set to the right may be less cooperative horses than those with center or to the left swirls.
My findings: I would say Dance would fit more into the single whorl below the eyes category. He is always getting into something. He's an extremely curious and playful horse.
Rainy's swirl is located above her eyes, but slightly to the right.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature, but there are variations. Swirls set to the right may be less cooperative horses than those with center or to the left swirls.
My findings: I think this is a good description of Rainy. She is uncomplicated, but she certainly has her quirks.
Fancy's swirl is located above her eyes, but slightly to the right.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature, but there are variations. Swirls set to the right may be less cooperative horses than those with center or to the left swirls.
My findings: This is fairly accurate. Fancy definitely has her uncooperative moments, but mostly she is an uncomplicated horse.
Whiskey's swirl is located directly in the center of her eyes. It looks slightly to the right only because her head is tilted in the photo. It is dead center, slightly above her eyes.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature.
My findings: Whiskey is a very tough horse to get along with. She's moody and definitely needs to know who's in charge. She is an extremely friendly horse though and will come to the fence for attention even after a six hour ride. I would put her in the long swirl, two swirl, or three swirl categories, but definitely not the single swirl above the eye category.
Jubilee's swirl is located directly in the center, slightly below her eyes. It's sort of a long swirl.
What Linda says: A single long swirl that may be between the eyes, or extend below, indicates a horse who is friendly and particularly enjoys relating to people.
My findings: Jubilee is not a real friendly sort. But she has been used hard and may just relate people to work... she is one that would rather be in the pasture than getting attention. I would say this is not the appropriate category for Jubilee. I would put her more in the single swirl above the eye category, or the three swirls category.
Cayenne's swirl is located directly in the center, towards the bottom of her eyes. Cayenne is not my horse...but she belongs to a friend and is here for training.
What Linda says: A single swirl between or above the horse's eye is the standard displayed by the majority of horses in her studies. This positioning indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature.
My findings: Cayenne is very easy going... she has her moments, but mostly she is highly cooperative and goes with the flow.
Romeo has two swirls, set at an angle to each other.
What Linda says: Horses with this tend to be more emotional and over-reactive than average. They tend to become upset without apparent reason, and at unexpected moments. When such horses blow up, the best way to handle them is to back off and allow them to settle. Punishing them doesn't help; in fact it usually only aggravates the behavior more and can even bring on more resistance. However, Linda says, a horse like this can be a great horse; she has had some of her best show horses with this configuration, but generally, horses with this pattern are not ideal for inexperienced riders.
My findings: I swear she has been here and met Romeo. He is so trainable and intelligent. He's a very push button horse, but he is certainly emotional. In stressful situations he's a totally different horse, unpredictable and uncooperative. Punishment is never the answer, it only raises his anxiety.
Chase has two swirls, directly above each other.
What Linda says: Horses with this tend to be more emotional and over-reactive than average. They tend to become upset without apparent reason, and at unexpected moments. When such horses blow up, the best way to handle them is to back off and allow them to settle. Punishing them doesn't help; in fact it usually only aggravates the behavior more and can even bring on more resistance. However, Linda says, a horse like this can be a great horse; she has had some of her best show horses with this configuration, but generally, horses with this pattern are not ideal for inexperienced riders.
My findings: I must be drawn to these horses. Romeo and Chase are "my" boys. Chase is extremely intelligent, has more talent and try than any horse I've met. But he is easily frustrated and is easily upset. Over-reactive is a good word for Chase. I often have to back off and ask less of him until he's relaxed again.
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