Moderators: Coby, balance, Dyonne, Sica, C_arola, Neonlight, Firelight
'Citaat:Spotting only shows in horses with at least one copy of the dominant Appaloosa spotting allele LpLp, although it is then influenced by several other genes. Horses with this gene but no other spotting genes show at least one of the three minimal appaloosa characteristics. These are mottled skin pigment on the face and/or genitals, hooves striped with narrow vertical bands and white sclera of the eye. The skin pigmentation may not be present at birth, but the other two characteristics are. Pink and black mottled skin is one of the most indicative characteristics. It is always evident in the genital region and may also occur around the lips, muzzle, nostrils and/or eyes. An appaloosas eye is sometimes called the "human eye" due to the white sclera encircling the eye. Most other horses have a dark sclera.
Horses showing all three traits are said to be mottled. The expression of appaloosa characteristics is thought to be influenced by sex, possibly through an hormonal effect. There is some evidence that stallions show more patterning than mares. Jeanette Gower (1999) suggests the following phenotypes for horses with no other spotting genes: