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Corn spots?

In Dr. Sponenberg's [i]Equine Color Genetics[/i], there is a photo of a horse with "corn spots." The general description in the book seems to match the horse whose photo is attached: [i]Some roan horses have dark spots that occur independently of scarring. Both the scarred and nonscarred dark spots are sometimes called corn spots...[/i]. Are the dark markings on the attached photo "corn spots?" They sure look like they're all resulting from scarring. Thanks for any thoughts!

accphotography Wed, 04/08/2009 - 01:12

Oh yeah! I forgot they were called that. I used to know the *reason* they were called that, but I've forgotten. They only happen on classic roans (though I swear I've seen them on the occasional sabino roan). It's just where they've been rubbed in some way and the roaned hairs don't grow back for some reason. I find it fascinating as you get to see all the places they've done something to themselves that you might not have ever even known about. :lol:

Lovely photo!

Gander Wed, 04/08/2009 - 01:19

It's odd to me, accphotography, as the book says they're called corn spots because [i]they give an appearance similar to multicolored Indian corn.[/i] The coloring on this boy sure doesn't look like any Indian corn I ever had! :lol:

Thanks!!! It IS amazing to think where all those scars came from. Glad all of our scars aren't quite so obvious.

RiddleMeThis Wed, 04/08/2009 - 06:03

I never even knew what they were called. I also just called them "roan marks" or something similar.

Dilutes Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:42

My buckskin gets something very similar. Any nicks of his grow back black on his gold coat but fortunately I've found over time they go back to gold *phew*

Paintlover Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:54

Quoted from Sponenburg's book

"Dark spots grow into the coat of some roan horses. These are usually related to scarring or brands, in which the hair consistently grows back in with the base color of the roan. Some roan horses have dark spots that occur independently of scarring. Both the scarred spots and non-scarred spots are sometimes called corn spots, because they give an appearance similar to that of Indian corn."

So both are called corn spots but I would tend to only use that term when the spots are not scar related. But that is just my opinion. I have seen pictures of roan horses with corn spots that are not from scars. The are usually round and not quite so jagged or long like scrapes and scratches.

IMO this horse we are talking about only has "corn spots" from scrapes.

Gander Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:11

[quote="Paintlover"]
IMO this horse we are talking about only has "corn spots" from scrapes.[/quote]

I would guess that, too. I don't remember this horse having genetic-looking black spots, although he might.

Does Dr. Sponenberg generally create terms and conditions, such as "corn spots" including scarring marks, or would he use terminology gleaned from previous sources? I am learning that, with things color-related, there is so much disagreement about so many things!

One website states "Corn spots may appear where the horse has had an injury...." Another says, "A dun roan showing the 'corn' spots where he has been scuffed or injured in years..."

But those websites might be using Dr. Sponenberg's book as the source for the information.

Like Heather, before I read the book and Googled 'corn spots,' I would have called those marks 'scars.'

Sara Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:13

He looks as though he got into a fight with a cat!

I have only ever heard the term "corn spots" online.

Gander Wed, 04/08/2009 - 13:00

[quote="Sara"]
I have only ever heard the term "corn spots" online.[/quote]

I see quite a few websites related to model horse paint colors use the term. I guess many model horses sport corn spots. :D

Morgan Wed, 04/08/2009 - 14:24

I know about corn spots becuase it was in a horsey board game I played when was little. I learned a lot of stuff from such infallible sources. :rofl

accphotography Wed, 04/08/2009 - 14:28

I've always called them "scratch marks". Very scientific I know. I wouldn't have even thought of the corn term until it was said, then I immediately remember hearing it somewhere.

I think Dr. Sponenberg is kinda bad about applying arbitrary names to things that don't have a name otherwise. I guess some things have to be called something, but he uses some of the weirdest terms.

Paintlover Wed, 04/08/2009 - 15:00

I don't think Sponenburg came up with that word because the way he was talking about it was that people use it as a general term when referring to solid color spots on roans whether or not they were scars or just beauty marks per say.

Monsterpony Wed, 04/08/2009 - 15:40

I've always heard them called corn spots. Not sure what the original source was, but that is all I've ever used.