Horse markings

Horse markings are special white patches or areas on a horse's coat that make each horse look unique. These markings are usually white against a darker base coat color and are present from the moment the horse is born. They stay the same throughout the horse's life, even though they might look slightly different when the horse changes its coat with the seasons. Most of these white markings have pink skin underneath, which helps experts identify and study them.

Even on a gray horse, which turns white as it ages, markings can still be found by closely trimming and wetting the coat to see where the pink and black skin are hidden beneath the hair. Scientists have also looked into the genetics behind these markings and found certain genetic loci that influence how they appear, or their expression.

Besides these white markings, there are other patterns like those seen in Appaloosa, pinto, or brindle horses. Sometimes, people also use artificial markings, such as branding, to identify their horses. These markings are important for recognizing and caring for each horse as an individual.

Types of white markings

Facial markings on horses are named based on their shape and location. Common types include a blaze (a wide white stripe down the face), a strip (a narrow white stripe), a bald face (a very wide blaze that may reach the eyes), a star (a white patch between or above the eyes), and a snip (a small white patch on the muzzle). These markings are present from birth and help identify each horse uniquely.

Leg markings are described by how far up the leg they reach. The most common are stockings (white that reaches at least to the bottom of the knee or hock), socks (white above the fetlock but not as high as the knee or hock), fetlock markings (white over the fetlock), pastern markings (white above the hoof but below the fetlock), and coronets (white just above the hoof). These markings also help to distinguish one horse from another.

Main article: sabino

Inheritance of white markings

A horse's genes can decide if it will have white markings. Different breeds might have different genes that control this. For example, chestnut horses often have more white markings than bay or black horses. Horses with the W20 allele usually have white patches on their faces and legs.

Non-white markings

Horses can have special dark markings on their white patches. These include Bend-Or spots, which are faint dark spots often found on chestnut or palomino horses. Ermine marks are small black spots that appear on white areas near the hooves, sometimes making the hooves look striped. Another interesting pattern is called a "medicine hat," where a horse has dark ears and poll surrounded by white. A shield marking features a dark chest surrounded by white on the shoulders, legs, belly, and neck.

Other markings

Horses may have unique white spots on their bodies that are not large enough to classify them as an Appaloosa, Pinto, or Paint. These spots can appear anywhere and might be linked to specific genes like splashed white, dominant white, or sabino.

Sometimes, horses develop white patches due to past injuries or skin conditions. For example, "saddle marks" are white patches that can form on a horse’s back from wearing a saddle for too long. Other markings might come from skin diseases or deliberate branding methods used to identify the horse. These markings remain for life and help people recognize each horse individually.

Other identifying features

Horses can be recognized by features besides their markings or brands. One such feature is whorls, also called "cowlicks," which are patches of hair that grow in a swirl pattern. These can appear on the head, neck, chest, or legs and are useful for identifying a horse when they have an unusual pattern.

Another special trait is having a blue eye, known by names like "glass" eye or "moon" eye. While most horses have brown eyes, some have blue eyes, and they can see just as well. Lastly, chestnuts are unique callus-like spots on a horse’s legs, each with its own pattern. Though some have suggested using them like fingerprints, their continual growth and shedding make them tricky to use for identification.

Main article: Whorls
Main article: Chestnuts

Coat colors with distinctive patterns

Main articles: Equine coat color and Equine coat color genetics

Some horse coat colors have special patterns that make them look unique. These patterns are not called "markings," but they do help us recognize different types of horses. For example:

• Bay horses have black areas on their heads, tails, and legs on a reddish coat.
• Dun horses have a darker stripe along their back and striped legs.
• Pinto horses have large patches of color, unlike the smaller spots of an Appaloosa.