Theoretically, almost any horse can carry the mutated gene causing dapples. Here are some of the breeds more likely to develop a beautiful dappled coat: Generally, grey or bay horses are predisposed to dapples. Some breeds are more likely than others to develop dapples. Note the complete colour change, she was almost black when she was born and is now a stunning steel blue dappled roanĪlthough most coat colours can have dapples, chestnut foals are less likely to develop these beautiful markings. June all grown up! Now showing her dapples. They are typically born with their base colour (with a few exceptions) and, in the following weeks and months, the dapples will slowly start to appear.įor starters, some grey foals are actually born pitch black! As the horse ages, they slowly develop their dappled grey colour. Spending too much time in extreme weather will result in a dull coat.įoals never have a dappled coat when they are born. Regular brushing and keeping your horse out of the sun and rain (or getting a waterproof blanket) will help to protect the coat.
#BEAUTIFUL DAPPLE GREY HORSE SKIN#
Grooming: You need to keep your horse’s coat and skin healthy to maintain the dappled appearance. Feeding horses a high-quality diet could really bring out the dapples. That said, not all horses carrying the dapple gene will have dapples.ĭiet: A horse with a genetic predisposition for dapples is more likely to develop them if they receive a proper diet containing enough protein, copper, zinc, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids. Genetics: Because of inherited traits, some horses are simply more likely to develop dapples as they age. Why Do Some Horses Have Dapples?ĭapple grey horses are the most common dappled horses, but why do some horses have dapples while others don’t?Īs I mentioned above, dapples are due to genetics as well as environmental factors. Once the KIT gene mutates, less melanin is produced, resulting in the patches we call dapples. The specific gene is called the “KIT gene,” and is responsible for melanin production (melanin is the colour pigment in hair). The Dapple Geneĭapples are triggered by a mutated gene, which causes the hair pigment to differ from the surrounding base colour. The appearance of dapples can also be influenced by external factors, such as coat quality, diet, and how much direct sunlight a horse receives. Our dappled Clydesadle mare Belle, you can see her foal does not yet show dappling It’s also not a given that a foal will inherit dapples from his or her dappled parents.
This can either be because the gene simply isn’t expressed, or because the horse has an underlying health issue or issues.Ĭertain horse breeds are more likely to get dapples than others however, there is no guarantee that a horse of that breed will get these lovely markings. What makes horse experts so confused is the fact that many horses with the dapple gene do not get dapples. Dapples have had scientists scratching their heads for the longest time.Īs things stand, science indicates that dapples are, in fact, a genetic trait. This question has no definitive answer, unfortunately.
That doesn’t stop dapple enthusiasts from trying to bring out these spots on their horses with strategic diet adjustments! Are Dapples Genetic? Bloom dapples are not that common – or at least not as common as true dapples. True Dapples and Bloom DapplesĪ dappled horse with the genes for these markings is considered to have true dapples.īloom dapples, on the other hand, will appear (and disappear) on a horse’s body due to its health, the season and coat condition. The degree of dappling varies between breeds and individual horses, with some horses having only a couple of spots while others have the pattern all over their bodies. Skye, Our Homebred Connemara x Clydesdale who became a Police horse showing her blue roan dappled coat
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