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The relationship between facial whorl direction and sidedness in ridden horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

H. Randle  and
E. Elworthy
H. Randle
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, U.K. [email protected]
E. Elworthy
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drakes Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, U.K. [email protected]
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Extract

The influence of Natural Selection on the evolution of the horse (Equus callabus) is minimal due to its close association with humans. Instead Artificial Selection is commonly imposed through selection for features such as a ‘breed standard’ or competitive ability. It has long been considered to be useful if indicators of characteristics such as physical ability could be identified. Kidd (1902) suggested that the hair coverings of animals were closely related to their lifestyle, whether they were active or passive. In 1973 Smith and Gong concluded that hair whorl (trichloglyph) pattern and human behaviour is linked since hair patterning is determined at the same time as the brain develops in the foetus. More recently Grandin et al. (1995), Randle (1998) and Lanier et al. (2001) linked features of facial hair whorls to behaviour and production in cattle. Hair whorl features have also been related to temperament in equines (Randle et al., 2003).

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Posters
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 35: Applying Equine Science: Research into Business , 2006 , pp. 247 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2006

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