The accurate description of coat color and white markings is the most common method used to identify horses. Although there is some regional or breed variation in the terminology used, the basic terminology is fairly standard.

Coat color and white markings are genetically determined and, as a result, the variations are almost unlimited.

For a discussion on coat colors and their inheritance refer to:

Coat Color Genetics (Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, UC Davis)

Breeds of Livestock (Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science)

Text authored and images provided by
Carol A. Collyer
HTML and image conversion by
Jeffrey M. Fish

Last revised, July 8, 1996