Coat Colors & Markings
Common horse coat colors and white face and leg markings explained, with the breeds where you usually see them.
Color and marking words help you describe a horse clearly, whether you’re reading a sale ad, filling in a vet record, or telling two horses apart.
Below you’ll find the common coat colors and the white face and leg markings, plus the breeds where you often see them.
Coat colors(10)
Bay
Reddish-brown body with black mane, tail, and lower legs.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Morgan, Appaloosa, American Paint Horse, Andalusian, Icelandic Horse, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Clydesdale, Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino
Chestnut
Reddish coat; mane and tail can be the same color or lighter.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Morgan, Appaloosa, American Paint Horse, Icelandic Horse, Haflinger, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino
Black
Very dark coat with black mane and tail.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Arabian, Morgan, Appaloosa, American Paint Horse, Friesian, Icelandic Horse, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Clydesdale, Percheron, Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino
Gray
Horses can be born dark and lighten over time, often with mixed hairs.
Seen in: Thoroughbred, Arabian, Andalusian, Icelandic Horse, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Percheron, Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino
Palomino
Golden coat with a light (often white) mane and tail.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Haflinger
Dun
A lighter body color often with a darker stripe down the back.
Seen in: Icelandic Horse, Connemara Pony
Roan
A mix of white hairs and colored hairs across the body.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Icelandic Horse
Pinto (pattern)
Large patches of white and another color (a pattern, not a breed).
Seen in: American Paint Horse
Appaloosa (pattern)
Spots or blankets; often includes speckled skin and striped hooves.
Seen in: Appaloosa
Face and leg markings(10)
Star
Location: Face
A small white mark on the forehead.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Arabian, Morgan, Appaloosa, Andalusian, Friesian, Icelandic Horse, Haflinger, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Percheron, Tennessee Walking Horse, Paso Fino
Blaze
Location: Face
A wide white mark down the face.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Clydesdale
Snip
Location: Face
A small white mark on the muzzle (nose area).
Seen in: Arabian, Icelandic Horse, Paso Fino
Bald Face
Location: Face
A very wide white face marking, often reaching the eyes.
Coronet
Location: Leg
A thin white line just above the hoof.
Pastern Mark
Location: Leg
White that comes up to the pastern area.
Sock
Location: Leg
White that comes up to the fetlock.
Seen in: American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Morgan, Appaloosa, American Paint Horse, Icelandic Horse, Haflinger, Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara Pony, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Percheron, Tennessee Walking Horse
Stocking
Location: Leg
White that comes up higher on the leg.
Seen in: Thoroughbred, American Paint Horse, Warmblood (Sport Horse Type), Clydesdale
Ermine Spots
Location: Leg
Small dark spots inside a white marking near the hoof.