|
Appaloosa Colour |
Colour Versus Breed
There is a misconception among a few that Appaloosas are a colour and not a breed. This is one of those old wives tales. Appaloosas are a breed, and like any breed there's variation in colour.
They can be a solid colour like any breed or they can carry and exhibit LP Complex and Pattern Genes which give the Appaloosa the colour we readily identify as "Appaloosa." Whilst they are not just a colour, the Appaloosa should be bred to maintain that ongoing "Appaloosa" colour consistently. The Public readily identify this breed by their unique colour and patterns.
This is not the only breed in the world that is bred for colour. Suffolk Punches must always be chestnut, Cleveland Bays must be bay, Friesians must always be black, Lipizzaner's must always be Grey and on it goes. Here in NZ, the NZ Warmbloods must be a solid colour and not broken colour or they aren't permitted into The Main Studbook.
So there's all kinds of colour bias out there, its just that most people overlook these other breeds because they are solid colours.
I'd like to see a quality N/C solid appaloosa (by blood) stallion standing at Stud for all those homozygous mares to visit. Remember that although an Appaloosa can be born solid, it doesn't mean they don't have pattern genes. If a solid Appaloosa inherits pattern genes and no Appaloosa gene(LP)to light up the pattern, then the pattern is hidden. When a colour test becomes available to identify these horses, it will help Appaloosa breeding immensely.
Some people who aren't attracted to loud colour would value a quiet appaloosa of solid colour.
Appaloosa Colour Terms
HOMOZYGOUS - Colour Dominant. Written as LP/LP, meaning two helpings of the dominant Appaloosa (LP) gene and at least one copy of PATN-1 (all over body white, like a nose to toes blanket or leopard). Appaloosa's that carry "LP/LP" and PATN-1 are fewspots and snowcaps. Snowcaps show a reduced level of white expression. These are colour dominant Appaloosa's and will throw one dominant copy of the Appaloosa (LP) Gene to each foal they produce. Some roan Appaloosa's have two copies of LP (LP/LP) but no pattern genes.
HETEROZYGOUS - 50% Chance of colour, when bred to a non-appaloosa horse. This is written as LP/lp (one copy of LP / no LP). This means one copy of the Appaloosa (LP) gene. When two horses that are both LP/lp (heterozygous) are bred, there is a 75% chance of colour.
PATN-1 - This is a gene that gives all over body white as you see with the leopard pattern and fewspots.
PATN-2 - This is a combination of colour genes that give reduced or suppressed white expression like you see in Appaloosa's with various sized blankets.
FEWSPOT - A fewspot has two copies of the Appaloosa gene (LP/LP) and at least one copy of PATN-1. Colour Dominant Appaloosa. Must have one leopard parent, but preferably two. The Appaloosa is born 80-100% white, with the odd spot, and doesn't turn white later. Recognised by white feet, pedigree and birth colour. Often has colour about the ears elbows, flanks, mane, tail and under the neck. The mane and tail will go white later. May produce the leopard pattern and other patterns when crossed with a solid colour horse.
SNOWCAP - Colour dominant also. Two copies of the Appaloosa gene(LP/LP) and at least one copy of PATN-1. Generally has one leopard parent or two. Recognised by white feet, pedigree and coat colour and pattern. Snowcap's can white out later to look like a fewspot if they inherit roan strongly. PATN-1 expresses from 60% - 100% white.
LP COMPLEX - Shows characteristics like mottled skin around the nose eyes and genitals, white schlera in the eye or what is described as a "human eye", and stripey feet and/or Lp roan. An Appaloosa may inherit anything from one to four of these characteristics.
For more in depth learning about Appaloosa colour and DNA Research, see
Updated on 09/23/2009 04:08 AM by Shawin
|
|
|
|
