How much white makes a coloured?

[Kikke]

Hi all,
I went to a show over the weekend and there was a coloured class going on. One off the entrees was a lovely chesnut with a smallish white mark on it's left flank and it make my wonder " how much white is needed to qualify a horse/pony as a coloured".
I be very intrested to read peoples views on this if that is the right way of putting it.
thanks

 

[ribbons]

As I understand it, any white above the knee/hock makes the horse technically a coloured. With the exception of any white marking to the front of the face. The same for opposite way round.
I remember a pure bred Arab, grey/ white with a chestnut blaze. Not classed as coloured obviously as the marking was front of face, but very striking and memorable.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

CHAPS says

WHAT is a “COLOURED” HORSE or PONY?
The definition of a “coloured” horse or pony is one whose coat colour is either (piebald) or white and any other colour (skewbald), e.g. bay, roan, chestnut; with a patch of naturally occurring white coat. This white patch must be on the body above the level of the stifle or elbow, excluding any face markings. Any white marking below this does not qualify. Manes and tails may also be white or have white in them. Appaloosa animals with belly markings do not qualify. If there is any doubt as to whether an animal is classified as coloured, photographs showing all markings should be submitted to CHAPS (UK) Administration for referral to Council at the next available meeting. If further clarification is required a representative of CHAPS Council will be required to inspect the animal at a mutually agreed location. Should further verification prove necessary, DNA testing will be required for the presence of the “colour” gene. Animals with the fading colour gene, common with grey and whites, when colour definition is not apparent will be known as “historical” coloureds. It is at the discretion of the owner whether or not an animal which is historically coloured should be shown.

The arab in R's post could either have been a bloody shouldered grey (with the patch that failed to grey out on the head) - so not a 'coloured', or a near maximum sabino, with the white patch being so big that it covered all but a part of the head - so yes, a 'coloured'. You need to see if the horse had black or white skin under the white fur.

 

[Kikke]

Many thanks for that!
I do wonder my registered welsh cob mare has a small (20p size) white mark (natural, not due to any injury) on her chest. it is above elbow level but seeing she is only 14hh you can easily miss it. no showing judge has ever remarked on it anyway.
The thing is a welsh cob can't be coloured but I do wonder if she would officially be classified as coloured.

 

[CountryStar]

mine is coloured according to her passport, can you spot the patch of white on her belly?!.... not sure I'd be happy taking her into a couloured class though!

 

[Stroppy Mare]

What about white on the belly? My new horse has a moderate sized and two smaller white splodges on her belly, and white hairs scattered in her mane and tail (she's mahogany bay!) with a splashy blaze.

 

[Bobbly]

According to the BSPA, 'Only natural markings visible from a standing position and at a distance of 10ft, are acceptable. The lesser of the two colours shall meet the minimum requirements of a single patch of colour on one side of the body covering an area of 15cm x 15cm (approximately the size of a saucer) is the minimum requirement for acceptance and must be accompanied by two or more of the listed markers:-
1. The prescence of colour to or above the hock or knee on two or more limbs.
2. One or two blue, or partially blue eye. The eye may also be surrounded by white (pigeon eye).
3. Apron face (white extending to include the eyes and beyond the jaw line).
4. White on jaws.
5. Pink lower lip.
6.Two coloured mane or tail.
7. White under the belly.
8. Pink skin under white hairs and/or blue zone between white hair and any other colour present.
9.The offspring of Homozygous Staliions or mares that have been tested by a recognised Genetic tsting laboratory either in the USA or UK and who have documentation to uphold their claim.

 

[sally87]

According to some experts the definition of a coloured is:

"a horse which is frequently mistaken for a cow"

 

[Kikke]

According to some experts the definition of a coloured is:

"a horse which is frequently mistaken for a cow"

I love that

 

[Hoof_Prints]

I once knew a bay tobiano horse that had four white legs, a broken blaze, a bit of white under the face and the rest was solid coloured with black mane and tail. he was genetically tested to be coloured (or so I was told) but didn't look like one on appearance- apart form the fact the white on his legs went up very high. he was never showed but I always wondered what theyd say if he was taken in a coloured class! I have a coloured that has been called a cow out hacking, and a "giant hound" when out hunting :O

 

[MagicMelon]

I also thought any tiny bit of white on the body (or above the knee basically) qualified it as coloured. I know of a coloured who is basically chestnut with the tiniest tiniest patch of white on his tummy. My coloured has faded out so she's now white with very faded greyish patches, I dont know if these will disappear eventually too but she was born skewbald so I guess technically she will always be coloured.

 

[rara007]

I was always told the Bsps definition and wasn't allowed to count my section a with white spots and a belly splash, so I don't count belly splashes or stockings even if they go up onto the rump.

 

[Lyle]

I don't consider a horse showing Sabino traits a coloured (So large stockings, blaze and belly splash). I think of coloured as a horse showing pinto markings (so piebald/skewbald etc) or paint bred exhibiting these traits. However not all paint breed horses will show express these markings, so it can get a bit confusing!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

How about this sabino - is this enough white? Going by the CHAPS definition I would say 'yes'.

What about a more 'roany' sabino like this one? I'd say 'yes' for this one too.

This has enough white to appease everyone surely!

 

[Rosiejazzandpia]

15cm diameter patch anywhere other than under the belly

 

[Meems]

According to some experts the definition of a coloured is:

"a horse which is frequently mistaken for a cow"

Excellent!!