Behavior Genetics of the Horse (Equus caballus) - Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals - page 264

whorls between the eyes, or cattle without whorls. Behavioral agitation was
scored in a squeeze chute and the flight speed was measured after exiting the
squeeze chute. Silveria et al. (2006) evaluated auction ring behavior of 1572
weaned calves with an average age of 210 days. Thirteen-hundred and seven-
teen calves were crosses between Bos Indicus (Brahman) and Bos Taurus
(Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, and Charlolais), and 255 were pure Bos
Taurus. The auction ring is similar to tests of social isolation in a novel
arena, but accompanied by sounds and movements of both the auctioneer
and the public. Results showed that crossbred Bos Indicus

Bos Taurus
cattle had higher hair whorls than pure Bos Taurus cattle, and behavioral
agitation in the auction ring (escape attempts, restlessness, fast movements)
was significantly higher in crossbred cattle compared to the purebred cattle.
Florcke et al. (2012) studied variability in hair whorl patterns and differences
in maternal protective behavior of beef cow

3

calf pairs 24 hours after calv-
ing. Results show that cows with a single high hair whorl or multiple hair
whorls oriented toward an approaching vehicle at a further distance, com-
pared to cows in other hair whorl groups. Also, cows with a high hair whorl
vocalized at a further distance compared to cows in other groups. These
results show that older cows and cows with high hair whorls are more vigi-
lant of their surroundings. Shirley et al. (2006) studied heritability of hair
whorls in Holstein cattle and reported three main conclusions: hair whorl
height, asymmetry, and rotation are moderately to highly heritable polygenic
traits; whorl height and asymmetry are the same traits regardless of whorl
direction; and different genes are involved in determination of each of these
three characteristics.

Hair Whorls in Horses
In 1994, we conducted two preliminary observations on associations between
hair whorl patterns and performance in horses. Hair whorl data was collected
from 290 Thoroughbred horses during the racing season at Santa Anita
Racetrack in Arcadia, California. Performance data was provided by The
Daily Racing Form, a statistical service for bettors on horse racing in the
United States. Statistical information on starts, wins, and money earnings
were compared to hair whorl patterns. The horses were all registered
Thoroughbreds, stabled at the track in 11 separate barns and managed by 26
different trainers, each with their own training, handling, and nutritional prac-
tices. No statistical correlations were found. In a second study, hair whorls
were recorded on 133 Grand Prix jumping horses during the Masters at Spruce
Meadows, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Horses were various breeds from 15 of
the world's top show jumping nations. Each horse was managed, handled, and
trained with various training preferences. Performance data and rankings were
provided by the F´d´ration Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international
governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines. No significant