Farndale Stables

Very interesting.

1

𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐋 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞) 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐃

This knowledge is a game changer in the horse training business and for those in all the competition sports, and a valuable guide for horse owners looking to find the perfect horse for their lifestyle and riding pleasure. Geneticists in three countries have provided the first scientific evidence of the inheritance of hair whorls, links to behavior, and specific genes linked to certain hair whorl patterns. There's no scientific evidence more definitive than genetic evidence. Dr. Temple Grandin and I at Colorado State University waited 28 eight years since we published the first scientific evidence of the link from hair whorls to behavior for the genetic evidence we always knew would come. We never claimed to discover the relationship between hair whorls and behavior; people worldwide for thousands of years have casually observed the relationship. What we did that was new was show the link to lateralization of the nervous system and the hair whorls association with functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. I studied and documented the relationship for ten years before meeting Temple Grandin, working as a farrier and horse trainer. I learned the practical application of this knowledge in real-world situations before seeking and finding the academic support needed to make this useful information available to everyone.

This post aims to clarify and unify common terminology and principles of hair whorl height and position, either left, right, or center. For future posting on this page, this information is essential for you. The most important language to clarify relates to the side preference exhibited by horses and its relation to horse welfare concerns. The terminology in the horse industry, as is in the scientific language, is broad and varies between people in the US and other countries. The formal scientific term for this phenomenon is lateralization of the nervous system. Some scientists use a less formal term, 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚. 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 is the general term used to describe the phenomenon across species that includes human handedness, paw preference in dogs, footedness in birds, and side preference in cattle, horses, and other herbivores. In my writing, I interchange the terms laterality, handedness, and side preference depending on sentence context, but they all mean the same thing.

I drew this graph on this horse because this horse represents a large proportion of horses and the hair whorl type that suffers from the most severe welfare concerns. It has a single whorl, is left of center, and is very.

𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

"Very Low" defines a non-reactive horse with low fear. "Low" whorls represent a horse as slightly more reactive than the "very low." "Very Lows" and "Lows" show minimal side preferences, and the hair whorls are usually in the center of the midline. The V-lines on the graph represent how, as the whorl gets higher, the side preference increases.

𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇

Most horses are in the Middle and High Range. The reactivity and fearfulness are in the mid-range, with some variation. Reactivity is higher in the top portion of the High range and lower reactivity in the lower middle range. The V-shape on the graph represents side preferences. The higher the whorl on the forehead, the stronger their side preference.

𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇

A smaller portion of horses are in the "High" and "Very" High range. Both high and very high define highly reactive and fearful horses. Side preference is highest in these two ranges, and the distance left or right from the midline also increases the side preference strength. This horse represents very high nervous system reactivity and laterality but not extreme laterality (side preference). A hair whorl closer to V-line would be an example of extreme laterality.

𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐋 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑

The epicenter defines the position of the whorl. This horse has a very high whorl slightly off to the horse's left side. This horse is highly reactive. The side preference is strong but not the strongest., and its natural fearfulness is very strong.

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘

Approximately 70% of horses have a left side whorl in the medium to high ranges. 10% to 15% have hair whorls on the right side. Approximately 10% have two side-by-side whorls, always in mid-to-high ranges, never low. The double side-by-side whorls we considered normal in our research.The doubles, either side by side or one above the other, are harder to define and require a separate post to clarify.

The remaining 5% have multiple or two whorls, one above the other. In our research, we considered these types of whorls abnormal.

The horse in this picture will favor the right lead and travel better in a circle to the right or clockwise. The left whorl and right turning preferences are similar to most right-handed people. The right side whorl is opposite, like left-handed people. The horse with a high right side whorl favors the left lead.

This horse's left eye is the "look out for danger" eye in horse's with a left side whorl, and prefers the right lead. The side of the whorl is the side the horse will give a farrier the hardest time. The opposite holds for the horse with a right side whorl.This horse's right eye is the "look out for danger" eye in horse's with a right side whorl, and this horse prefers the left lead.

The high reactivity(fearfulness) and the laterality (side preference) of the horse in the photograph and a horse with the opposite on the right side are the types of horses I encountered most while working as a farrier and horse trainer. The horses with the high right and left hair whorls show the most potential as high-performance horses, but they also represent the horses with the most severe welfare concerns. Unfortunately, when they have behavior problems, they are the most dangerous and unpredictable. It all depends on how they are raised and handled. Any clarifying questions are welcome.

Clogherboy Cruiser ISH
Age: 5 years old (2018)
S*x: Gelding
Height: 17.1+
Imported from Ireland as a 3 y/o. He has loads of potential for any ring. His sire,Cougar, is rated 4 Stars for eventing progeny by the Irish Stud Book. His grandsire is none other than Cruising, one of the most successful ISH to date. His dam is a Class 1 Irish Draught Mare by Gleneven Rebel, and her dam sire is Welcome Flagmount.
He is easily jumping 3’ and has plenty of scope for more. Learned his lead changes very quickly.
We have taken our time letting this big boy mature. He looks as though he will be an excellent horse for an amateur with the talent to go in any direction including eventing. He always tries to please and he truly loves to jump.
This eye-catching, dapple grey, diamond in the rough will make somebody very successful in the show ring.
PM for more details.
Located in Burbank, CA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xlrigDj39Y
https://youtu.be/Tx9e1qW-iDc?si=fCHtvzvdsU1mmBrs

Clogherboy Cruiser ISH. 2018

Last week, my 6 yr old mare, Dream On, was such a good girl in the 3' Green Hunters. Just her second time showing in the Hunter ring. She seems to love it! And definitely looks the part💕
Thank you for the beautiful photos Jaye Cherry!

3 Gymnastic Exercises to Sharpen Your Jump-Off Skills Olympic medalist Norman Dello Joio’s philosophy behind some of his most effective training techniques

Doubts often lie to you.
They are similar to what is referred to in film and fiction as an “unreliable narrator.” 🎭
Instead of overthinking the moment or letting them stop you —> notice them, say, “Not today, thanks.” and re-focus on positive action steps that will help you accomplish your goal/dream/task. 🏆 Choices you make every day are the keys to success, keep making good ones!! 🙌

New session of Spring Mindset Boost is available soon - DM for more information! 💥💥

🌴 www.TonyaJohnston.com 🌴

There are days in which a horse might not come any further than the warm-up phase, but this does not necessarily represent a setback. Horses are living things and are not the same every day. It is only a setback if you ignore the failed warm-up and still switch to the working phase. Then you can only ride with pressure and strength, which is an uncomfortable feeling for both horse and rider.

No doubt there are horses more suited to the aim of riding with subtle aids than others, but in the end this doesn’t matter. Every horse’s reaction to the rider’s aids can be improved on the basis of a proper warm-up and consequent conditioning, but not every horse is later ridden so sensitively. If you are able, just try to progressively reduce the strength of your aid.

‘I saw the horses getting sounder’: first findings from study into barefoot v shod horses’ movement - Horse & Hound

https://links.usef.mkt7856.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MjAyNzMxNTAS1&r=MjQ4NTMxNDQzNzU1S0&j=MjMwMTc5MTAyNQS2&mt=1&rt=0

links.usef.mkt7856.com Lexington, Ky. – A comprehensive update on the EHV-1 cases will not be available until morning. However, in an effort to mitigate the risk of virus transmission, the USEF is requiring the following protocols, which are effective immediately and until further notice.  

Athletes Announced for 2022 USEF Horsemastership Training Series US Equestrian is pleased to announce the participants for the upcoming 2022 Horsemastership Training Series.

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/training/kent-farrington-train-whats-difficult?fbclid=IwAR1I8hRfcLCOvxnNc_Likm1L1s-_Zy1p2aNxkfPU4Kr3sQaQFULanPi3v2Q

Kent Farrington: Train What's Difficult Olympian Kent Farrington’s five gymnastic exercises from the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session

"What does the phrase 'Inconvenient Truth' mean?

An inconvenient truth is what it sounds like: Something that's true but inconvenient. Typically the inconvenience comes down to having to take responsibility for something, or at least in admitting that the excuse you've been using doesn't hold up. It's an inconvenient truth that smoking is rather bad for your health."

Of the many inconvenient truths associated with horseback riding, the WORST ONE OF ALL is the simple fact that the rider needs to be fit and strong and agile enough to be able to ride without loss of balance and without too much debilitating fear.

I know people will HATE THIS POST. They will deny it, avoid it, ignore it. And they will never know what Walt Gervais here knew, riding in his first preliminary event at age 72, after beginning to ride in his mid 50s, that fitness equates to competence and confidence.

I am going to say that again---"Fitness equates to competence and confidence."

Want to be a better rider? A more confident rider? Get out there and do what athletes in all sports do---Get stronger and fitter. Don't like that idea? Fine, don't do it, but accept the consequences that you could have been so much more but MADE THE CHOICE not to.

And do not use age related excuses. Walt was still weight lifting in his mid 80s.