FEBRUARY 1996 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 2/1/96; 10:00:00 AM.

Cowlick and Equine Behavior

You know the facts are still shakey about cowlick, not colic, cowlick: that unruly little tuft of hair & hide that swirls together on your horse's forehead. Rumors have circulated for years about its relative position between the eyes as indicative of overall desirability. Some horse psychologists believe a cowlick's position on the forehead will determine equine behavior. The evidence is anecdotal and as unconfirmed as it is unverified.

The three positions for the cowlick are on the imaginary line right between the eyes, above between the eyes, and below between the eyes. Some owners actually groom and comb the forelock of their horses according to the position of the cowlick. According to all the psychological information available to us at this time, equine behavior is determined by cowlick position on the forehead as follows:

Between	Above	Below
Good	Bad	Indifferent
Smart	Dull	Lazy
Calm	Hyper	Sluggish
Willing	Stubborn	Flighty
Sweet	Mean	Shy
Steady	Broncy	Fidgety
Cooperative	Balky	Forgetful
Nibbler	Nipper	Snotty
Easy Keeper	Greedy Eater	Finicky
Mine	Yours	Theirs

Think about the categories for behavior according to cowlick position & try to match up the following numbered, famous horses on the left to the lettered, famous riders on the right.

Famous Horse	Rider
1. Black Beauty	A. Alec
2. The Black Stallion	B. Donald O'Connor
3. Champion	C. Gene Autry
4. Francis (Mule)	D. Greek Soldiers
5. Flicka	E. Kim Mc Laughlin
6. Mr. Ed	F. Lone Ranger
7. Red Rum	G. Gumbi
8. Scout	H. Queen Elizabeth
9. Silver	I. Riderless
10. Tony	J. Roy Rogers
11. Topper	K. Tom Mix
12. Trigger	L. Tonto
13. Trojan	M. William Boyd (Hoppy)
14. Pokey	N. Master

Bob Howdy, PhD