Horse markings

Markings on horses are usually distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color.

If a horse has a partial marking or ermine spots at the coronary band, the hoof may be both dark and light, corresponding with the hair coat immediately above.

Where the leopard gene is present, the hoof may be striped even if markings are not visible at the coronary band.

[4] Horses may have isolated body spots that are not large or numerous enough to qualify them as an Appaloosa, Pinto or Paint.

Horses may develop white markings over areas where there was an injury to the animal, either to cover scar tissue from a cut or abrasion, or to reflect harm to the underlying skin or nerves.

One common type of scarring that produces patches of white hairs are "saddle marks," which are round or oval marks on either side of the withers, produced by a pinching saddle that had been worn over a long period of time.

[7] Flecks of white on the root of the tail or scattered over the flanks may also be called Birdcatcher ticks.