What causes dappling?

[Casey76]

A bit out of the left-field I know, but I was wondering. Both of my black ponies are dappled at the moment, but what really got me wondering is when I saw a dapple or two on my youngsters nose, just down from his forehead.

Anyone know?

 

[MrsNorris]

Was told years ago that they are a sign of good health, but no idea if this is true or not.

My buckskin has got them for the first time this year, have owned him for 8 years and he's never had them before.

He IS looking the best he ever has though, so maybe there is something in the good health thing?

 

[TheLadyInBay]

Mine always seems to get dapples late in the summer but will come out earlier if there is lots of sun. They don't come out much if there isn't much sun. They seem to be like freckles

 

[Sukistokes2]

Could be wrong but I was under the impression that the dapples are caused by new coat growing through, hence they dapple towards the end of the summer........but hay what do I know.

 

[Sukistokes2]

Ok I was wrong... when in doubt google it (by the way I am bored at work no kids have turned up for their art lesson! )


Some bay horses exhibit dappling, which is caused by textured, concentric rings within the coat. Dapples on a bay horse suggest good condition and care, though many well-cared for horses never dapple

This is what I found!

 

[TheLadyInBay]

Ok I was wrong... when in doubt google it (by the way I am bored at work no kids have turned up for their art lesson! )


Some bay horses exhibit dappling, which is caused by textured, concentric rings within the coat. Dapples on a bay horse suggest good condition and care, though many well-cared for horses never dapple

This is what I found!

Awwww my bay has loads of dapples

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

An old MFH (friend of the family) told me that when you see dappling its a sign the horse is in rippling good condition.

 

[Baileybones]

Not sure how scientific this is but the old boy at a training yard I worked at said you could get dapples from feeding nettles.
When I have in the past my bay has dapples - not fed them this year and although she looks amazing she has no dapples.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Sooty causes dapples. This Palomino is dappled because of sooty.

 

[Casey76]

Obviously being black it is harder to see, but you can just about make some of his dapples out on his barrel and flank here:


Whether Mérens have the sooty gene is debatable, but they are all almost certainly homozygous for black, as it is the only colour allowed by the studbook (a small star is allowed, but no blaze or white on the legs).

Conversely light rabacino flecking on the flanks is desired (my mare has a very few random white hairs just eblow her stifle).

If it is of any use, foals may be born with a black, silvery or café au lait coat which disappears with they lose their foal coat.

 

[whisp&willow]

My buckskin must have sooty then, she dapples in the summer.

 

[Capriole]

We have black, bay and chestnuts all with dappling right now, only ones without dapples are the greys

 

[mandwhy]

Mine has them when her summer coat comes through, it looks like rings of unshed winter coat, but they seem to have faded now.

 

[Pigeon]

Someone told me it was to do with oil levels in the coat?

No idea though, mine always has dapples towards the end of summer, they've just started appearing on his bum and back. (does this mean winter is on it's way??? )

 

[Bobbly]

Here's some, 1st June (birthday pics)...two different years