Color and Markings

As with other animals, no two horses look exactly the same. Although they might be classified under identical colors and markings, there are distinct differences that are like fingerprints in humans - no two are exactly alike. There is also some confusions among horse breeders and trainers as to what specific colors are called. A western rider would call a "red" horse sorrel, while an english rider would probably refer to it as chestnut. These differences are subject to personal preferences, and are not important when classifying an animal.

If you own horses, or if you are thinking about buying one, it is extremely important that you understand colors and markings. If your horse is registered with a particular association (such as the American Quarter Horse association, or AQHA), the animal will be identified according to both of these physical qualities. Also, in order to trailer your horse anywhere - to a show or another farm - you must have obtained a clean coggins test from your veterinarian. Coggins tests are administered to every horse to make sure that the animal does not have Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), which is a very contagious disease for which there is no cure. Once the test comes back negative, your veterinarian will issue you a coggins report, which identifies your horse according to color and markings, and gives you permission to haul your horse to other places.

That said, you should be familiar with all of the colors and markings, their names, and where specific markings will be located on your horse.

STANDARD COLORS

Black - There are very few true black horses in the world. A true black animal will not bleach to red or brown in the summer, and will maintain a fully tar-black coat throughout the year. This does not mean that the horse cannot have white or gray markings, but that the majority of the coat is black.