There are a lot of things to consider when deciding on a name for your horse. You want to choose something that fits her personality, is easy for other people at the barn to pronounce, and reflects the beauty of her coat color. While you can choose a horse name based on anything, naming your mare based on her white or grey coat color can be particularly appealing. There are a variety of names to consider, from mythical animals like Pegasus and Merlin to famous racehorses such as Native Dancer and Secretariat. There are also a number of other options that reflect the beautiful and unique look of these horses.
The color of a horse is typically determined by genetics, environmental conditions, and hereditary influences, making it difficult to standardize equine color descriptions. Registries and breed-specific rules often differ in the way they describe colors, and even experts may disagree. Nonetheless, there are a number of common terms that are commonly used to describe the color of horses, mules, and donkeys.
Generally speaking, a horse’s color is described by its dominant body color, the color of its mane, tail, lower legs, and ears, and any natural markings or scars. The dominant color is usually called the base color, while other colors or dilutions are described by their respective names. In addition to these standardized colors, most horses have acquired markings such as tattoos, brands, freeze marks, scars, and other blemishes that are considered part of the horse’s overall appearance.
Markings are generally defined as patterns of white hair that can be spotted or solid, and they may cover any area on the horse’s body. They can include spotting, flecking, ticking, or the pattern of slightly darker and lighter hair known as dappling. These markings can be useful in identifying horses or in distinguishing one from another for the purpose of veterinary examination, health care, or identification.
In some cases, a horse’s coloring can be further enhanced by the presence of other types of markings. These are usually called dappling, and they can occur in any type of coat. In some instances, the dappling can be combined with other patterns or colors such as those found on Appaloosas (spots surrounded by a larger area of solid color), pintos, and roans.
The term roan describes the combination of colored and white hairs on a horse, with the head and legs being darker than the body. The colors most frequently found in roan horses are chestnut and sorrel, but a roan can also be black. A roan can also have a few dapples, but they should not be so numerous that they obscure the dominant color of the roan.