Appaloosa
Appaloosa is a gene that causes spotted patterning on a horse's coat. Defined by it's presentation of mottled skin around the eyes, muzzle, flank and genitals, and loud, flashy coat patterns, Appaloosa is a unique marking that presents with several different options. Striped hooves and white sclera are hallmarks of the Appaloosa pattern.
An appaloosa's pattern is determined by whether the gene is inherited as heterozygous or homozygous. In addition, the recessive Pattern gene will further affect the amount of white present on the coat, thus changing the overall look of the pattern. Pattern alone without the presence of Appaloosa will not produce any visible markings, but the gene will carry on to offspring.
The geno code for Appaloosa is written as:
nLp or LpLp + nPt or PtPt
If you have a genotype from before 1/22/2022 with either Leopard(nLp) or Blanket (nBl) in their Geno/Pheno type you may use the link below to have an admin help you update it to fit the new guide.
Skin Mottling and hoof striping
Pattern
nPt or PtPt
Pattern is an extension of the Appaloosa gene. When combined with Appaloosa, it will express as a change in the Appaloosa patterning. When a horse presents Pattern on it's own, there will be no visual expression and it will be listed as a carrier. The exceptions to this is when Pattern interacts with roan or oduud, which will be described below. Pattern can cause hoof striping and small spotting in natural white or other white markings that typically would not have any holes or spotting.
Blanket Appaloosa
nLp
A solid white area normally over, but not limited to, the hip area with distinct 'holes' or spotting. Can also extend to the horse’s midsection. Frosting and mottling, or smatterings of white hair are allowed along the edges of the blanket. The edges may also have a subtle halo. Blanket doesn't cause white outside it's range, but it can cause small spotting in natural white or other white markings that typically would not have any holes or spotting.
Blanket Range and Spot Sizes
Snowcap Appaloosa
LpLp
Similar to blanket, without any spotting, snowcap creates a solid white cap over the horse's hindquarters. Frosting and mottling, or smatterings of white hair are allowed along the edges of snowcap. The edges may also have a subtle halo. Snowcap doesn't cause white outside it's range, but it can cause small spotting in natural white or other white markings that typically would not have any holes or spotting.
Snowcap Range
Leopard Appaloosa
nLp + Pattern
A white marking that covers the horse in dark spots that flow out, showing the base colour, in the direction of hair-growth over the entire body. The regularity and size of the spots varies greatly, from sparse spotting to large, oval patches. The knees, flanks and face may have larger patches of base colour showing.
May have wide, slightly mottled halos within the spots.
Leopard Range and Spot Size
Fewspot Appaloosa
LpLp + Pattern
Fewspot is a very heavy appaloosa pattern, leaving the horse primarily white, with large patches of base coat possible on the face, chest, flank and legs. Any spotting on the body (yellow area below) should be minimal, widely dispersed, and the max size of these spots is shown in the example.
May have wide, slightly mottled halos within the spots.
Peacock Appaloosa
Appaloosa + Pattern + Roan
Peacock marks occur when appaloosa, pattern and roan combine. This marking is entirely optional, but may create a roaned appearance in the normally solid white body, leaving behind a concentrated ring of white around the leopard spots. This marking starts at the front of the horse and may extend as far back as the rump. The spots should follow the normal rules for leopard and few spot.
Blanketed Roan
Appaloosa + Roan
When combined with roan, blanket and snowcap may fade into the roan, creating spotting within the roan and causing larger than normal corn spots. Roan's range is extended to the full body, and roan may be be lightened to a textured pure white. Roan may also display mismark when combined with appaloosa.
Varnish Roan
No Appaloosa + Pattern + Roan
Varnish roan occurs when pattern and roan interact without Lp present. This is the simplest form of appaloosa, with no solid patterning. Varnish presents as a splotchy, 'mismarked' type of roan, covering the whole body. It may have cornspots, but no major spotting. Can cause small spotting in natural white or other white markings that typically would not have any holes or spotting.
Snowflake
No Appaloosa + Pattern + Oduud
Snowflake occurs when pattern and oduud interact without Lp present. Snowflake causes dense white spotting across the coat, often concentrating heaviest across the back or flank and spreading out across the entire body. This concentration allows for oduud to cluster, overlap and have slightly more textured, oblong shades. These spots may also be larger than typical oduud, upwards of twice their normal maximum. Snowflake should be fairly evenly spread across the coat and should not resemble sabino.
Mismark
Free marking applied to any appaloosa pattern
Mismark is a free marking that appears on the appaloosa gene, causing large patches of base coat to appear irregularly in the appaloosa patterning. When appaloosa is combined with roan, the mismark may appear in the roan as well. Mismark should be added to the phenotype if used.
MAXIMUM MARK SIZE
Example shown on leopard
Summary of Combinations
