Appaloosa Patterns

Appaloosa Patterns

Leopard Complex (LP) is the base gene for all Appaloosa patterns. It is a dominant characteristic. It is responsible for Appaloosa roaning and it is necessary for other Appaloosa patterns to exhibit. In very minimal form, the horse may only show what are known as characteristics (white sclera, mottled skin, and striped hooves on non-white legs) and even these can, at times, be so minimal as to escape notice. When LP is present along with a pattern gene the horse will present with a blanket or leopard pattern. Horses that are homozygous for LP and also carry a pattern gene will have white areas without spots. A blanket without spots is known as a snow cap and a leopard without spots is known as a few spot. A fairly new study suggests that horses that are homozygous for LP are also night blind. The inheritance of the pattern is not fully understood but it is thought to be controlled by at least two difference genes. LP roaning (varnish) is progressive, meaning that the horse lightens as it ages. The difference between LP roaning and gray is that with LP roaning the bony areas and spots of the horse will stay dark so that the horse never turns completely white.