forelock
{{Short description|Part of a horse's mane that falls forward}}
The forelock{{Cite web |title=Forelock - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms |url=https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/forelock |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Vocabulary.com |language=en-US}} or foretop is a part of a horse's mane, that grows from the animal's poll and falls forward between the ears and onto the forehead. Some breeds, particularly pony breeds, have a naturally thick forelock, while other breeds, such as many Thoroughbreds, have a thinner forelock. Primitive wild equines such as the Przewalski's horse with a naturally short, upright mane generally have no hair falling forward onto the forehead. Other equidae such as donkeys{{Cite web |date=2003-02-21 |title=Mules and Donkeys |url=https://thehorse.com/151305/mules-and-donkeys/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=The Horse |language=en-US}} and zebras, have no discernible forelock at all.
Purpose
Little research has been published on the purpose of the forelock. However, the thick forelock is more prevalent in breeds developed in the cold, wet climates of northern Europe{{Cite web |title=Highland Pony |url=https://www.rbst.org.uk/highland-pony |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Rare Breeds Survival Trust |language=en}} and is minimal on wild horse subspecies and other equine species adapted to hot, dry climates, such as the zebra or donkey. It tends to be fine and thin on many oriental horse breeds, even if they otherwise have long manes and tails. Thus, it may play a role in temperature regulation and to keep pests at bay.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-30 |title=Why Do Horses Have Manes? (The Answer Might Surprise You) |url=https://petkeen.com/why-horses-have-manes/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Pet Keen |language=en-US}}
Grooming
Grooming a forelock is dependent on what activities the horse will perform and the horse's breed standard. In certain horse sport competitions, such as dressage and hunter-under-saddle, the forelock is braided.{{Cite web |title=French Braiding a Forelock – The Cheshire Horse |url=https://blog.cheshirehorse.com/2020/07/27/french-braiding-a-forelock/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |language=en-US}} Conversely, some breeds, such as the Andalusian, are usually shown with a long, full, forelock that is never braided. Other breeds may confine the forelock with rubber bands and anchor it to the bridle. The forelock may also be roached{{Cite web |date=2021-08-23 |title=Roaching Manes |url=https://proequinegrooms.com/tips/manes-and-tails/roaching-manes/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Pro Equine Grooms |language=en-US}} (shaved off) in some competitions, such as polo. Quarter horses showing with the AQHA must leave their forelocks unshaved, even when the rest of the mane is roached.{{Cite book |title=2024 American Quarter Horse Association Handbook |date=January 1, 2024 |publisher=American Quarter Horse Association |edition=2024 |location=United States |pages=127}}
Human use
Forelock is slang for a human hairstyle{{Cite web |title=Hairstyle vs. Forelock - What's the difference? {{!}} Ask Difference |url=https://www.askdifference.com/hairstyle-vs-forelock/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=www.askdifference.com}} popular in the 1980s. In the 19th century, it was a common salute where a person saluted another by "tugging the forelock"{{Cite web |title=OWAD - One Word A Day |url=https://owad.de/word/tug-one-s-forelock |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=owad.de |language=en}} (see Salute).