![]() The history of the dapple grey horse is somewhat uncertain. However, in rare cases, older horses have been known to retain some of their dapples or even have some dappling reappear. After six years old, most dapple grey horses' coats will transpose almost completely white. There is a good mix of dark and light hair, making for a true one-of-a-kind look.Īfter four years old, the dark hairs will begin to lighten. This is the stage of dappling that is most often associated with dapple grey horses. The coat will fade lighter from two to six years old, which causes the dappling to become more defined. At this stage, yearling coats will typically change to dark steel-grey color with some dapples. The grey will first be seen around the foal's eyes and mouth.Ī yearling is a horse that is older than one but younger than two. By the time they wean, there will be apparent signs of the grey coat coming out. The dappling on a horse happens at different rates, but here is a general timeline of what to expect from a dapple grey horse:Ī dapple grey foal, or a younger than a one-year-old horse, can be just about any color but grey - bay, black, chestnut, etc. Bloom dapples: Typically found in darker-colored coats, these are subtle dapples that can come and go depending on diet, condition, and grooming.And the dark hair is always present and forms a prominent dappling pattern. True dapples: These are the dapples found in traditional dapple grey horses.There are two different types of dapple patterns: What Do Dapple Grey Horses Look Like? (Characteristics)ĭapples are dark spots or rings on a horse's coat that surround lighter-colored hair. Approximately one in ten horses today carry the grey allele that causes them to turn grey with age. Yes, as greying coats are found in almost any horse breed. Horses with two grey alleles will usually turn grey quicker than ones with only one grey allele. However, if only one parent is grey, there is a 50% chance the foal will be grey. ![]() The grey allele is the dominant gene, so if both parents are grey, the foal will be grey as well. Interestingly enough, a dapple grey horse can be born with any color coat, but the original color will fade to white over time. This gene is what causes the horse to slowly turn white as it ages. It's all in the genes! A horse must have a grey allele (gene variant). But in horses, the dappling can be prominent. In darker coat colors - like bay, dun, or chestnut - the dapples are more subtle. Generally, most dapple greys have black skin, and their changing hair colors give the dappling effect.Īlthough dappling is associated with grey horses, it can happen in other coat colors too. ![]() The pattern can change over time, and the size of the spots varies depending on the season and age of the horse.ĭappling does not have to do with skin color - it is a result of red or black pigmentation in the hair. The dapples are a pattern of unique irregular spots (or rings) in varying sizes all over the horse's coat. Their coat essentially goes through the same process human hair does (graying with age), which results in a dapple grey coat somewhere in the middle. Most of the time, these majestic beasts start out a darker color, fade into a dapple grey, and then eventually become fully white. When a horse is dapple grey, it is a representation of its age. ![]() As a result, these horses can appear in many different kinds of horse breeds. Dapple greys are eye-catching, unique, and have a beautiful spotted pattern that you won't forget.īut how do they get those dapples? Where can you find these one-of-a-kind horses? Don't worry - keep reading for the full trot!ĭapple grey horses are not a breed! Rather, it refers to the color of their coat. If you've ever seen a dapple grey horse, you know that they're special.
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