There are so many spotted horse breeds in the world ranging from the little British Spotted Pony to the Sugarbush Draft. All of these horses and ponies are beautiful in their own way and there is so much you can learn about them! These next 10 pictures and facts on the spotted horses of the world are guaranteed to make you smile!
1. They Were Once Prized By Royalty
In Britain, France, and other countries ruled by kings and queens, one of the common practices of the time was to gift neighboring kingdoms or victors of battles with prized horses, especially stallions.
Because of the great desire to have a horse with a beautiful spotted coat, horses with these unique coat patterns were of the greatest gifts to receive, especially when it came to royalty. Many times, kings and queens are seen in paintings in carriages pulled by a team of spotted horses.
Not only were these horses beautiful, but they also stood for royalty and power. Owning one of these horses was a privilege.
2. Spotted Horses Fascinated Even Cave Men & Prehistoric People
Believe it or not, spotted horses roamed the prairies long before even writing things down became a thing. Instead of any written recollections of these horses from this time period, there have been cave paintings in Europe found of horses carrying these spotted markings.
It is proven, through recent discovery through looking at DNA, that there were in fact spotted horses that roamed across Europe, so it is likely that these cave paintings were based off of real horses these people encountered.
3. No Two Spot Patterns are the Same
Did you know that a horse’s spot pattern is essentially like their fingerprint? No two spotted horses are ever exactly alike so that means that if you have a spotted horse, yours is the only one that looks exactly like that!
Though there are many different categories for different patterns seen in these horses (snowflake pattern, frost pattern, blanket pattern, etc.) even within those coat pattern categories, no two horses are ever the same!
4. Black & White Spotted Horses are Symbolic
Black and white horses are symbolic in a similar way that the yin yang symbol is. The black and white spotted coat stands for the balance of life. The way it symbolizes this through giving the coat colors meaning.
The black in the horse’s coat stands for the bad things that happen in life while the white in the horse’s coat stands for the good. We need both the good (white) and the (bad) to appreciate all that we have.
5. Spotted Horses Often Have Light & Dark Skin
Did you know that the spots on a spotted horse’s coat is mainly a reflection of their skin coloration and pigmentation?
If a horse has a big patch of light, unpigmented skin, it is most likely that the hair growing from that specific patch of their coat will be white/pink/pale. This goes for dark and pigmented skin as well. If hair is growing from a patch of skin that is dark and/or pigmented, that hair will likely be darker.
6. The Appaloosa is the Most Popular Spotted Horse Breed in the World
The Appaloosa, an American breed created by the Nez Perce Native American tribe is the most popular spotted horse breed in the world today. Because of its beautiful spotted coat, this breed helped to create a number of other spotted breeds seen today.
These magnificent spotted horses are seen all over the world. They can be seen in America, Mexico, Canada, France, England, and even more countries.
The British Spotted Horse and Pony Society even created a special registry for Appaloosa horses in the country.
7. The Spotted Appaloosa Breed Helped to Found & Improve Many Other Spotted Horse Breeds
Because of the beauty, great traits, and unique temperament of the Appaloosa breed, they were often used to cross with other breeds to create spotted varieties and even completely new horse breeds.
Some breeds that the Appaloosa helped to create include the:
- Pony of the Americas
- Nez Perce Horse
- Colorado Ranger
- Sugarbush Draft
- Knabstrupper (Appaloosas helped to re-establish the breed)
8. The Spotted Coat Pattern is Prehistoric!
The first recording of spotted horses was done in the 11th century through French artwork that depicted spotted horses carrying kings, queens, and knights. Even if this was the first recording of this coat color, there is proof of the existence of spotted horses from over 35,000 years ago!
In 2011, a DNA study on some ancient European Horse remains came back with astonishing results! The coat color of that specific horse they were testing was a leopard-spotted horse!
Further investigation came back with the same results, with many of the European horses of the time having beautiful spotted coats.
9. A Former Member of the Beatles Requested a Spotted Grand Prix Dressage Horse do a Performance in Honor of his Late Wife
The ex-Beatle Paul McCartney asked for a special performance from Pay N Go, a leopard Appaloosa Grand Prix Dressage horse in honor of his late wife Linda McCartney In Manhattan, New York.
This tribute was given in a church during a memorial service to Mrs. McCartney. The horse and rider entered the church at the Spanish walk, performed a pirouette, bowed and saluted, and then gracefully left the sanctuary earning a standing ovation.
10. The International Spotted Horse Registry Association Hosts All-Inclusive Horse Shows for Spotted Horses
Have a spotted horse? This place will allow you to register it!
There are so many different classes offered at this horse registry when it comes to horse shows so there is bound to be a place for you and your horse to fit in.
In 2020, a Miniature Appaloosa Mare won one of their shows known as the ISHR High Point Show.