Horse Color Pt. 3 - Appaloosa
Spots of A Different Color
My third installment of the horse color series is all about those happy appys. The artwork in their coats range from hindquarter blankets of snowy white to dalmation style spots, and they change with each coat shed.
Caused by the leopard color gene, appaloosa horses generally have multicolor spots on their skin. Although some only show this physical trait on the hair-free skin of their eyes, mouth and genitals.
Coat Patterns Associated with the Leopard Gene
Varnish Roan
Coat is mixed white hair and body color hair throughout, and they grey out with age. (Not associated with the grey modifier, and not a true roan).
Snowflake
Dark coat with white spots randomly over the body which can enlarge as the animal ages. (Sometimes mistaken for birdcatcher spots.
Frost
Coat has white hairs only on back, loins and neck.
Leopard
White coat with dark Dalmatian spots, often concentrated on the legs and head.
Few Spot Leopard
The maximum expression of the leopard complex, white coat with colored marks above hooves, knees, armpits, mane, tail, wind pipe and face.
Blanket
A white ‘blanket’ covers hindquarters and can extend up to the whithers. Any spots inside the blanket show the same color as the body.
Snowcap
Also expressed in a blanket across the hindquarters, except there are no dark spots on the white blanket field. Generally they retain color on head and legs.
There is plenty more to learn about the appaloosa white pattern. Be sure to read up on the other white patterns too.
Roan
Paint and Pinto
Unexplained patterns and colors
