A swirl, or whorl, is a distinctive pattern in the lay of hair on the horse, often appearing as spokes rotating around a center. Did you know it is an indicator of a horse's personality.  They are found on the horses forehead, on the flanks, stomach and numerous other places over the body. Why should hair swirls and temperament be connected in any way? As it turns out, recent research has determined this isn’t just folklore. This is basic brain development. Skin and brain tissue comes from the same layer of cells, called the ectoderm, during embryonic development. As embryonic cells migrate to form a fetus, skin, and brain cells are closely intertwined, particularly at the scalp. This interconnectedness explains why certain hair formations seem to be related to personality.

 

Studies showed that location—meaning above, between, or below the eyes—as well as shape of the whorl could be, to some extent, a predictor of excitable behavior in cattle. Other studies have shown the same in horses: What does a swirl mean on the forehead.

 

A single swirl between or above the eyes.

This usually indicates a horse with an uncomplicated nature. If the swirl is set to the left as you face the horse, the horse will be a bit more complicated, but still trustworthy.

If it's set to the right, the horse will probably be less cooperative. However, single swirls between or above the eyes are less indicative of the horse's character than the more complex patterns.

 

A single swirl several inches below the eyes.

These intelligent and imaginative horses like to amuse themselves. They are the Houdinis of the barn, the clowns, the entertainers, and they can be quite a nuisance as they open stall doors, turn on water faucets, and escape the cross ties.

According to Tellington-Jones, they are usually "interesting characters to deal with. »

 

A single, long swirl that may be between the eyes or extend below.

This swirl pattern indicates a horse that is friendly and enjoys relating to people. If a horse with this swirl pattern is not friendly, it's most likely because they are in pain or have a history of abuse.

 

Two swirls adjoining.

Whether these swirls are above, between, or below the eyes, stacked one above the other, or are positioned side-by-side or at an angle to each other, this swirl combination marks a horse that is more emotional and more overreactive than average.

These horses can become upset suddenly and without reason, and the best way to handle them when they blow up is to back off and allow them to settle on their own. Rather than helping, punishment only aggravates these horses and brings more resistance. However, this doesn't mean that a horse with two adjoining swirls can't be a great mount. Some of the best show horses have this configuration. They just need the right rider -- usually one with experience.

 

Three swirls close together on the forehead.

Triple swirls are rare, and their meaning is varied. In geldings and mares, this pattern indicates a complex horse but not an unpredictable one. In stallions, however, it almost always marks a horse that exhibits unreliable and even dangerous behavior.

Our horses can't speak, but they can tell us so much -- even just through markings like facial swirls!

 

Learn even more! 

A study from the University of Limerick in Ireland in 2008 demonstrated that horses with clockwise hair whorls were significantly more likely to move toward the right, or begin a gait with the right-sided hooves—in essence, these horses were right-handed. And the horses with counterclockwise whorls? They were more likely to move left.