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Genetics Guide

This is a new guide to help members better understand how genetics work on Wild Equines and hopefully clear any confusion of genetics for members.
Credits go to the awesome Shorty for originally making this guide, and Disaster and Ebonite for editing and updating it.
All Images came from either trustworthy sites from google and mainly from Jennifer Hoffman at www.jenniferhoffman.net/ .


GENETICS BASICS

In genetics, each horse has two gene pairs. These are denoted as EE, Ee or ee, for example. The reason there are two letters is because there is one inherited from each parent. The color a horse comes out as will always depend on what letters they inherited from their parents and whether the genetics they inherited are dominant, or recessive.

Dominant - Dominant genes are identified by using capital letters. EE, AA, GG are all dominant gene pairs. Dominant genes are what they mean - they dominate over the recessive genes.

Recessive - Recessive genes are identified by using lowercase letters. ee, aa, gg are all recessive gene pairs. If there is one dominant gene (Ee, Aa, Gg), the dominant gene will take over the recessive gene.


The color of a horse as well as what they are able to genetically pass onto their offspring will also depend on whether they are Homozygous or Heterozygous.


Homozygous - If a horse is homozygous, it means the two gene pairs they have are the same. This means the horse has either two dominant genes or two recessive genes (EE or ee).

Heterozygous - If a horse is heterozygous, it means the two gene pairs they have are different. This means the horse has both a dominant and a recessive gene (Ee).



BASE COLORS

Horses have two main colors, Black or Chestnut. All genetic outcomes will always depend on Extension(E) and Agouti(A).

E = Extension
The Extension gene is known as black in horses. If a horse is dominant for the Extension gene, it means that they are a black or black based horse (EE or Ee). If a horse is recessive for the Extension gene, it means that they are chestnut or chestnut based (ee).

EE - black - IMAGE
Ee - black
ee - chestnut

A = Agouti
The Agouti gene is what gives horses the bay coloring. Agouti is the gene that restricts the black coloring to only the horse's points, which are their legs, ears, mane, and tail. Because of this, the Agouti gene only appears on a black or black based horse. Chestnut horses can carry the bay gene, but they will not express it through their coloring. If a black or black based horse is dominant for the Agouti gene, they will be bay or bay based (AA, Aa).

ee/aa - Chestnut - IMAGE
ee/Aa - chestnut
ee/AA - chestnut
EE/aa - black
EE/Aa - Bay - IMAGE
EE/AA - Bay
Ee/aa - Black
Ee/Aa - Bay
Ee/AA - Bay

There are actually three different alleles for Agouti, although A is most common. The other two are At, and A+. The At allele restricts black pigment from the soft areas of a horse's body, resulting in the coloration known as seal bay. The A+ creates a wild type bay which will have a black mane and tail like a regular bay, however the black on its legs only extend as high as the pastern (ankle) and often the horse's red color is somewhat lighter. The only time At and A+ will effect anything is if the horse has an extension(Ee or EE) gene. The A allele is dominant over At, while the A+ allele is dominant over the A and At gene.

Ee/Ata - Seal Bay - IMAGE
Ee/AtA - Bay - A is dominant over At
Ee/AtAt - Seal Bay
Ee/AAt - Bay - A is dominant over At
Ee/A+a - Wild Bay - IMAGE
Ee/A+A - Wild Bay
Ee/A+A+ - Wild Bay
Ee/AtA+ - Wild Bay
Ee/AA+ - Wild Bay (A+ is dominant over A and At, so if a horse has A+ it will always be Wild Bay)


FLAXEN GENE - PLEASE READ

Flaxen is a very different gene that many people get confused by. Unlike Extension and Agouti, Flaxen is a recessive gene, meaning it only appears and effects the color of a horse if it is recessive. Flaxen is a gene that only appears on chestnut or chestnut based horses. Many people do not include flaxen in a horse's genetics when in actuality every horse has it. If a horse is recessive for flaxen, the mane will be a 'flaxen' color, or a cream-like color. If they are dominant for the flaxen gene, they will have a regular chestnut mane.

ff- Flaxen. Flaxen/Cream-like Mane - IMAGE
Ff - Regular Chestnut. Flaxen Carrier.
FF - Regular Chestnut.

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Dilutions

Dilution genes are genes that play off the base color of a horse(Bay, black, or chestnut). A horse is not limited to one specific dilution and can actually have multiple dilution genes which cause a variety of different colors. They can have a cream gene and a roan gene, they could have a dun and a champagne gene, the list can go on. The outcome of the color, just like Extension and Agouti, depends on whether the horse is Heterozygous or Homozygous.

Due to the fact there are so many more possibilities when a horse has more than one dilution, we will not include what colors happen, but instead give you a link to a Horse Color Genetics HERE.

Cr = Cream.
The Cream gene is a dilute gene. A dilute gene is one that plays off of the base color (bay, black, or chestnut) and morphs it depending on how many Cream genes the horse carries, and makes it a lighter shade. For this gene, it matters whether or not the horse carries one or two dominate genes (CRcr or CRCR) If a horse does not display any Cream genes, it is completely recessive (crcr).

One cream gene (CRcr) + black horse (EE or Ee) = Smoky Black - A few shades lighter than true black, sometimes Smoky Black can be extremely hard to tell apart from a black, bay, or liver chestnut and only genetics can tell.
One cream gene (CRcr) + chestnut horse (ee) = Palomino
One cream gene (CRcr) + bay horse (Ee/Aa or EE/Aa or Ee/AA or EE/AA) = Buckskin

Two cream genes (CRCR) + black horse (EE or Ee) = Smoky Cream
Two cream genes (CRCR) + chestnut horse (ee) = Cremello
Two cream genes (CRCR) + bay horse (Ee/Aa or EE/Aa or Ee/AA or EE/AA) = Perlino


D = Dun
The Dun gene is another dilute gene that plays off the base genes to change the coat generally lighter. Dun is a gene that generally lightens the horse's body, while leaving the horse's head, legs, and mane/tail darker than the body. Duns always carry a dorsal stripe down their back, and sometimes can carry shoulder stripes and leg bars. A horse who is dominant (DD or Dd) for the Dun gene will show Dun, while a recessive horse will not show any dun coloring (dd).

Dun gene (DD or Dd) + black horse (EE or Ee) = Grullo
Dun gene (DD or Dd) + chestnut horse (ee) = Red Dun
Dun gene (DD or Dd) + bay horse (Ee/Aa or EE/Aa or Ee/AA or EE/AA) = Classic Dun
Dun gene (DD or Dd) + Seal Bay horse (Ee/Ata or EE/Ata or Ee/AtAt or EE/AtAt) = Bay Dun


Ch = Champagne
Champagne is a lot like the Cream gene, however it does not fully affect the hairs. Instead it is a more diluted sense, in which it gives the horses body a lighter sheen, and generally affects the skin and eye pigment coloring as well. A horse who is dominant (CHCH or CHch) for the Champagne gene will show Champagne coloring, while a recessive horse will not show any (chch).

Champagne gene (CHCH or CHch) + black horse (EE or Ee) = Classic Champagne
Champagne gene (CHCH or CHch) + chestnut horse (ee) = Gold Champagne
Champagne gene (CHCH or CHch) + bay horse (Ee/Aa or EE/Aa or Ee/AA or EE/AA) = Amber Champagne
Champagne gene (CHCH or CHch) + Seal Bay horse(Ee/Ata or EE/AtAt) = Sable Champagne


Prl = Pearl.
Pearl is a much more rare dilution, in which it acts more like a cream, but looks like a champagne. Pearl is often confusing because it is exactly like Flaxen, it is a recessive gene. If there is only one recessive copy of the gene, it has no effect on black, bay or chestnut horses. If there are two recessive copies, it lightens red coats to a pale, uniform apricot color that includes body, mane and tail and creates pale skin. It is also know if there is one copy of a cream gene present that pearl will show through.

PRLPRL = no pearl
PRLprl = no pearl
prlprl = Pearl

Ee or EE/prlprl = pearl, mane is sable color - IMAGE
Ee or EE/Aa or AA/prlprl = pearl, coat is much more apricot-color, mane is sable color - IMAGE
Ee or EE/Ata or AtAt/prlprl = pearl, coat is more orange, mane is sable color - IMAGE
ee/any form of Agouti gene(aa, AA, Aa, Ata, and so on) = Apricot. Mane is apricot color unless Flaxen gene is present - IMAGE
nCr/nprl(heterozygous for both) = Cream pearl
Again, both Cream and Pearl genes are dilutions on Extension and Agouti, so depending on what a horse has for each genes, Cream pearl will change shade.
ee/aa(ANY form of Agouti)/nCr/nprl = IMAGE
Ee/aa/nCr/nprl = IMAGE
EE/aa/nCr/nprl = Same as above. Two EE does not affect the outcome of the color.
Ee/Aa(ANY form of Agouti besides Ata)/nCr/nprl = IMAGE
Ee/Ata/nCr/nprl = IMAGE


R = Roan.
Roan is a distinct pattern in which causes small white hairs to mix into the horses original coat, creating a different lighter color. Most roans usually have darker heads and legs though this is not a formality among them. Not to be confused with Varnish Roan - Varnish Roan is an appaloosa pattern, which we will talk about later.
NOTE - Roan can effect any color, but since there are so many color variations we will only show Roan on 3 main colors.

Roan gene (RR or Rr) + black horse (EE or Ee) = Blue Roan
Roan gene (RR or Rr) + chestnut horse (ee) = Red Roan(Or Strawberry Roan)
Roan gene (RR or Rr) + bay horse (Ee/Aa or EE/Aa or Ee/AA or EE/AA) = Bay Roan


G = Gray.
Gray is a common color often mistaken for White or Cremello, as they almost physically look the same. However Gray horses are not born gray, they fade gray with age. Depending on the horse and how dominant the gray gene is will factor into how long it will take for them to turn completely gray, which will often look pure white. A grey horse, having started out some other color, will have skin and eyes to match. On a dark horse like a Lipizzaner this makes it obvious the horse is a grey rather than a white, because its skin is dark. When present, gray is always dominate and will overtake any coat color, however the time in which it takes to gray over is unique in every horse. Gray horses often have dark muzzles. There is no genetic make up difference between the different types of grays [such as white gray/fleabittengray/steelgray/rosegray/etc] as the are generally unique to the base colors that the gray is presented on. Gray is expressed in Gg or GG.

Steel/Iron Gray is an early stage in the graying process on a black base.
Rose Gray is an early stage in the graying process on a bay or chestnut base.
Dappled gray is the second stage of graying and occurs often between the ages of 4-12. Any base color can display dapples.
Fleabitten gray happens as gray animals age and become more white. Some horses will retain flecks of their base color throughout their pelt. Fleabitten grays are rarer than regular grays & their spots can change, or even pop up after the graying process is complete.

gg = no gray
Gg= Gray
GG = Gray - IMAGE


Z = Silver.
Silver is a gene that only affects black or bay based horses. Chestnut and Sorrel horses can be carriers, however the silver gene does not show on them. Silver gene affects the black hairs on a horse, generally turning mane and tails/flaxen, and lightening black hairs to a more 'chocolate' tone.
Since Silver affects horses with an Extension(black) gene, it affects more colors than the examples below. Any horse that has an Extension gene will be affected by Silver if it is present.

zz = no silver
Zz = silver
ZZ = silver
ee/aa/zz = no silver
Ee/aa/Zz = Silver Dapple
Ee/aa/ZZ = Silver Dapple, silver effects Mane more making it nearly white.
EE/aa/Zz or ZZ = same as above
ee/aa/Zz or ZZ = no silver present, just a carrier
Ee or EE/Aa or AA/Zz or ZZ = Silver Dapple Bay. If ZZ it just affects the mane more.


W = White
White is a gene that is very rarely seen, but is often confused as Albino. Albino does not exist in real horses. A white horse also looks much like a cremello but if you place the two of them side by side, it is easily seem that Cremello is a cream shade while white is pure white. A white horse will have white hair, pink skin and brown eyes. The white gene can ONLY be expressed in Ww(heterozygous) because having two alleles of white, WW(homozygous) is lethal and many foals either die in the womb or right after birth.

ww = no white
Ww = White - IMAGE
WW = Lethal. Foal will die before born or right after birth.


Sty = Sooty
Sooty is a gene that creates black hairs to grow mixed into the coat. These black hairs are usually more prevalent on the top of the horse, as though a bucket of ash were tossed over the animal. If a horse is black the sooty will be extremely hard to see.

stysty(homozygous) = no sooty
nSty or Stysty(heterozygous) = Sooty
StySty(homozygous) = Sooty - Sooty on Chestnut

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Paint Markings

FRAME OVERO PATTERN
Frame overo typically follows horizontal on the body. The white will not cross the back of the horse between its withers and its tail. The white is irregular, and often scattered/splashy like along the body. Head markings are distinctive, often bald face, apron face, or bonnet face(NOT REQUIRED). Tail is usually one color. NOTE, Overo patterns can vary along the body, they just cannot cross over the back. If they do, it's considered Tovero.
www.painthorse.com.au/images/register-images/overo.gif

oo(homozygous) = no Overo
Oo or nO(heterozygous) = Overo
OO(homozygous) = Lethal White Syndrome.


TOBIANO PATTERN
Tobiano typically follows vertical on the body. The white is generally regular and distinct as ovals or round patterns that extend down over the neck and back. All four legs are often white, and head markings often are non-existent or a blaze, strip, star or snip(NOT REQUIRED). Tail is often two colors. Tobiano does not go around the chest or hip - these are called shields. It will only ever go around the chest or hip if the horse is Maximum Tobiano. NOTE, Tobiano patterns are fairly straight, but if there are any scattered patches or specific barrel markings connecting from the leg markings, it's considered Tovero.
s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d2/ba/eb/d2baebac3bf91d4d4da179f24dadf698.jpg

tt(homozygous) = no Tobiano
Tt or nT(heterozygous) = Tobiano
TT(homozygous) = Tobiano, often Maximum Tobiano


TOBIANO VS OVERO:
www.kmsha.com/magazine/images/greatgaits_aug.jpg


TOVERO PATTERN
A combination of overo and tobiano. Often have 'Medicine Hat' or 'War Bonnet'. White chest and flank spots ranging in size. Flank spots are often accompanied by smaller spots that extend forward across the barrel and over the loin. www.dakotacohippology.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/8/0/5080622/897344_orig.jpg

Tovero is a combination of tobiano and overo, so therefore the horse will have both tobiano genetics and overo genetics.
nT/nO (heterozygous for both)
TT/nO (homozygous tobiano, hetero overo)
TT/OO (homozygous tobiano, homozygous overo however would result in lethal white syndrome and the foal would die.)


SABINO PATTERN
Sabino is a pattern that is still trying to be understood and researched. When a horse is heterozygous with Sabino, they typically have irregular, rough-edged white patches on the barrel and face. They also have at least two or more white markings on the legs, a blaze, spots or roaning on the belly or flanks, and jagged margins to white markings. When a horse is homozygous with Sabino, they are typically 90% pink-skinned and white coated. Without a DNA test, dominant white horses and sabino white horses are indistinguishable.
www.lchr.org/a/25/9e/sabi1.gif
MAXIMUM SABINO; orig10.deviantart.net/b858/f/2016/149/f/4/sabino_by_x_allyantidote_x-da47i47.png Can be completely white or have slight roaning on back like in this image.

sbsb(homozygous) = no sabino
Sbsb or nSb(heterozygous) = Sabino
SbSb(homozygous) = Sabino, will be 90% white(Maximum Sabino)


SPLASH(SPLASHED WHITE) PATTERN
Splashed white horses are often characterized as looking like they've been dipped in paint. Splashed white horses always have at least two legs white and a bald face, apron face or Medicine Hat. Splashed White can range in how much white shows up, from having just leg markings and a bald face to being 80%-90% white. The margins of the white are always well-defined. APHA(American Paint Horse Society) considers Splashed White an Overo pattern, and therefore is sometimes confused with frame overo.
dakotacohippology.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/8/0/5080622/1061426_orig.jpg

splspl(homozygous) = no Splash
Splspl or nSpl(heterozygous) = Splash
SplSpl(homozygous) = Splash


MANCHADO PATTERN
*This color is rare and must be purchased from the store to use.
While in real life, the Manchado pattern is specific to a handful of breeds from Argentina, we permit it in any breed on WE with the store item. The Manchado pattern typically presents itself with a topline heavy white; particularly over the neck with a partial white mane. The white spreads down from the top with crisp edges and round/oval colored spots within. A white tail is a potential feature of this pattern, though not required. The head and legs of the horse will remain dark, with the white coloration typically only spreading to the chest/belly at the lowest. In a minimal Manchado, only the top of the neck and potentially just above the tail will be white with colored spotting. In a maximum Manchado, the horse may have white with colored spots across the entire body, excluding the head and legs.

Manchado is a recessive gene and will require two recessive genes to show.

mcmc (homozygous) = Manchado expresses
nmc (heterozygous) = No visible Manchado

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Other Markings

RABICANO
Rabicano is not limited to just Paint Horses, it is a genetic pattern even found in Arabians. Other known as 'white ticking', is a pattern characterized by limited roaning in a specific pattern: its most minimal form is expressed by white hairs at the top of a horse's tail. Rabicano expresses as roaning, usually concentrated on the flanks, between the front legs in the arm pits, occasionally under the throat latch, and rarely very scattered roaning throughout the coat, but usually only if the horse has a very loud expression of rabicano. The roaning on the flanks can also form into what are called "rib stripes," and that is when the roaning appears to "stripe" over the horses barrel. Rabicano also causes what is known as a "skunk tail" and that is a tail head, and rarely the whole tail, that is striped with both white from the rabicano, and the color of the horse.
www.morgancolors.com/rabicanoinfo.jpg

Rabicano can express on any color or pattern including gray. It is fairly common in both Arabians and Quarter Horses, though has been seen in several breeds except in those where white is prohibited, such as Friesians.

rbrb(homozygous) = no Rabicano
Rbrb or nRb(heterozygous) = Rabicano
RbRb(homozygous) = Rabicano


APPALOOSA
Appaloosa genetics greatly affect what types of patterns they will get. When an appaloosa horse has a copy of the LP gene(heterozygous), they are known as Varnish Roan. If they have two copies of the LP gene(homozygous) they can be completely white, although varnish roaning is still possible. Varnish roan appaloosas have white hairs mixed into their base coat. Unlike a true roan, however, their white is patchy. It tends to concentrate on the rump and back, and leaves the legs dark. Small dark areas form on the hips and the bones of the face. The amount of roaning varies from horse to horse and increases with age. The speed of roaning can also vary greatly.

Appaloosas can have one of two different patterns; Pattern 1 and Pattern 2(P1P1 and P2P2). The outcome of both patterns depends on the LP gene.

One LP with one PATN1 gives a leopard appaloosa sometimes with indication of varnish roaning being present, while one LP with two PATN1 gives a Leopard Appaloosa. Two LP alleles with one PATN1 give a fewspot appaloosa, while two LP alleles with two PATN1 gives a fewspot appaloosa that looks completely white.

One LP with PATN2 gives a blanket appaloosa, while two LP alleles with PATN2 give a snowcap appaloosa. If a horse is homozygous for PATN2(PATN2PATN2) It does not change anything.

LPlp - Varnish Roan. Example
LPLP - Varnish Roan, more dense, can be completely white. Example
LPlp/P1p1 - Leopard appaloosa with some indication of varnish roan. Example
LPlp/P1P1 - Leopard Appaloosa. Example
LPLP/P1p1 - Fewspot Appaloosa. Example
LPLP/P1P1 - Fewspot appaloosa that looks completely white. Muzzle can have mottling. Example

LPlp/P2p2 - Blanket Appaloosa. Example
LPLP/P2p2 - Snowcap Appaloosa. Example

HORSES WITH LPLP(patn1 and patn2 factored in)
www.appaloosaproject.co/images/HomoContinuum.jpg

HORSES WITH LPlp(patn1 and patn2 factored in)
www.appaloosaproject.co/images/HeteroContinuum.jpg

In addition to white patterning, all Appaloosas will have: pink mottling on otherwise black skin, striped hooves, and a visible sclera (white of the eye).

EDIT IN JANUARY 2019, Information has now come out about Snowflake appaloosas. While it is not yet known the exact genetic material of snowflake, for WE purposes, we will be calling this gene SN.
Just as PATN1 and PATN2 mutate the LP gene and create their own patterns, so too does the snowflake gene.
ANY variation of SN will just be snowflake.
Snowflake Appaloosa: vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/howrse/images/c/c8/Appaloosa_-_Bay_Snowflake.png/revision/latest?cb=20130129023304

Lplp/SNsn - Snowflake Appaloosa
LPLP/SNsn - Snowflake Appaloosa
LPLP/SNSN - Snowflake Appaloosa
LPlp/SNSN - Snowflake Appaloosa.
All variations result in snowflake.



ALBINO**
While Albino does not exist in real life, we have an item in the store that allows you to purchase it and create an Albino horse. An Albino horse is a white horse with pink/red eyes. Albino horses have problems such as light sensitivity or visual problems. For genetics sake, albino horses are represented as ALBalb in addition to their genetics given by the parents. They have a 25% chance of passing on their albinism.


CHIMERA**
Chimera is a very rare genetic mutation that happens in real life, allowing a horse to be two different coat colors at once. Chimeras are the result of the fusing of fraternal twins in utero resulting in 2 sets of DNA in 1 horse. THIS is an example. We do not allow Chimera on WE unless you buy the store item. We only allow two coat colors and they may have the addition of white (making it tri-color).
For example:
Allowed:
Black with chestnut chimera - Horse has 2 coat colors
Black with palomino splash chimera - Horse has 2 coat colors with the addition of white in one of them (tri-color)
Black tobiano with palomino splash chimera - Horse has 2 coat colors, both with the addition of white (tri-color)

Not Allowed:
Black with chestnut chimera and bay chimera - Horse has 3 coat colors


Chimera horses have two sets of genetics, a dominant set and a recessive set. The dominant set will always show more on the horse than the recessive set.
When creating a foal from a Chimera parent, we always calculate the results by using the dominant color only.
If the foal is going to be Chimera as well(requires store purchase), then both of the foal's chimera colors will come from the dominant set of the chimeric parent.
If neither parent is Chimera but the foal will be, both of the foal's colors will be based on the parents' colors.

**SOMATIC MUTATION(PART OF CHIMERA)
Somatic mutations are the result of a gene that is accidentally switched "off," often resulting in odd patches of color (or white) on an otherwise ordinary coat. There are no physical ways to tell the difference between a somatic mutation and a Chimera horse, only a DNA test would show the differences. Therefore we consider it a part of our Chimera Rarity item and requires that store purchase.
This can be used to shut off one gene so the horse appears a different coat color depending on their genetics OR you can use it to create white markings.
Example:
A bay horse (Ee/Aa) can have streaks of black on their coat (Ee/aa). The somatic mutation would shut off the single A gene, making the horse appear black in those areas.
A palomino tobiano horse (ee/aa/Crcr/Tt) could have their single cream gene shut off, creating areas of chestnut (or white) beneath. The same can be done to the tobiano gene, leaving streaks of palomino where the tobiano should be.

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Non-Genetic Markings

FACE MARKINGS
Many people think that common face markings are genetic when they are actually completely random. It has not been researched or explained as to why they're not genetically caused and it hasn't even been researched IF they're genetically caused. Common face markings on horses are;

Blaze - A broad white stripe down the middle of a horses face, generally starting at the forehead & running all the way to the nose, or mouth.
Irregular Blaze - A blaze that does not have a more or less straight path.
Blaze and Snip - A combination of a Blaze and a Snip.
Stripe - A stripe is similar to a blaze in that it runs down the center of the face, but it is much thinner – almost a line.
Interrupted/Irregular Stripe - An interrupted stripe or blaze is one that doesn’t finish, or that has a break in it somewhere.
Stripe and Snip - A combination of a stripe and a snip.
Snip - The snip is a small white marking between a horses nostrils. It can be any shape & ranges in size from a small dot to a larger blotch.
Star - A patch of white in between the eyes on the forehead.
Irregular Star - A star that is crooked or not a full star.
Star and Strip - A combination of a star and strip.
Star and Snip - A combination of a star and snip.
Star, Strip and Snip - A combination of a star, strip and snip.
Lip Markings - Have no specialized names, usually are described by location, such as "lower lip," "chin", etc. Lip markings may indicate presence of the sabino color pattern.

Badger Face - Often resembles a reverse blaze. IMAGE
Medicine Hat - Also called the moroccan pattern, medicine hat is generally displayed on a Tobiano. This is a backward marking, the horse’s face is mainly white with dark markings around the ears.
Apron Face - Similar to the bald face, except an apron face literally looks like it’s wearing an apron of white over the color. White extends along the jaw to the throat latch & generally covers the whole muzzle.
Bald Face - A bald face is when the marking on their face extends to the eyes or past. It is often found in Overo horses, however any horse can exhibit large face markings.


LEG MARKINGS
Just like face markings, leg markings also are not genetic(UNLESS they have to do with a Paint Pattern). Common leg markings are;

Stocking - white marking that extends at least to the bottom of the knee or hock, sometimes higher.
Sock - The sock white marking extends beyond the fetlock but doesn’t reach above the knee or hock of the animal.
Fetlock or Boot - The fetlock white marking extends up over the fetlock joint up onto the cannon area.
Pastern - The white mark extends more than an inch above the hoof over the pastern but stops at or below the fetlock joint.
Coronet - The mark is only displayed around the coronet band, generally rising no more than an inch up from the hoof.
White Heel - A white marking on the heel of a horse, looks almost like half a coronet.


BLOODY SHOULDER
Bloody shoulder markings are random patches of color on gray horses that simply never gray out. They do not have to be on the shoulder and can be anywhere on the body. The bloody shoulder will be the same as the base color of the horse. They are not known to be genetic and are just a random occurrence in the graying out process.
www.serendipityrancher.com/Sanaya6.jpg


PANGARE/MEALY
Pangare, other known as Mealy, is expressed by a lightening of the animals soft spots, generally the muzzle, belly, flank, elbow and/or eyes & easily identified by a characteristic lightened muzzle. Mealy markings do not have an expressed genetic code and therefore are not genetic. The genetic inheritance of pangare is unclear & it’s believed not to have an affect on black coats. While it can happen in any breeds, it is often found in Pony and Draft breeds, and even more so in Norwegian Fjords.
s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/600x315/fa/5e/8c/fa5e8c26ccccbc5ab6f81032944a0d30.jpg



RARE MARKINGS
Markings that you can only get on WE through the store or having a foal. These markings do exist in real life but are very rare occasions.

Brindle or Reverse Brindle - Brindle coloring in horses is extremely rare and may be either caused by or somehow linked to chimerism, resulting in an animal with two sets of DNA, with the brindle pattern being an expression of two different sets of equine coat color genes in one horse. In some horses the pattern seems to be inherited, indicating that one or more genes are responsible. There is no evidence that there is an actual gene in the equine species that causes the brindle pattern. If there is a gene for brindling in equine, it has not yet been isolated. Brindle coloring consists of irregular stripes, often a darker shade than the horse's pelt, extending vertically over the horse's body and horizontally around the legs. Reverse Brindle is when the irregular stripes are white.
Brindle
Reverse Brindle

Birdcatcher Spots - Small, round, white spots scattered throughout a horse's coat. In many cases, the spots appear and grow in number for a period of years, and then gradually fade away. Sometimes, the spots will persist throughout a horse's lifetime.
www.whitehorseproductions.com/images/TBcolor/birdcatcher_will_spy_now.jpg

Bend Or Spots - They are random dark spots on a lighter coat, often seen on chestnuts and palominos. They vary in size, sometimes only dime-sized, and sometimes as big as an outspread hand.
www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/attachments/stallions/195973d1387610235-favorite-thoroughbred-stallion-s-img_9216-resize-web.jpg

Lacing - Also called giraffe markings, marble, cobweb or lace. Can be from a fungal infection called rain rot or a blood disorder. It is where there is a white pattern that forms on the top of the horses back. It usually starts along the spine then stretches outwards across the horse’s back. The lines formed by Lacing are crisp, bold and narrow. They rarely create any large example of the pattern on the horse’s top line; however, the pattern is progressive which means it grows larger as the horse gets older.
pacificpintos.com/mares/images/godiva4.jpg