Horses and the Expression of their Markings

We’ve all noticed a horse’s chrome; whether in common leg white or a tobiano pattern. And as breeders we’ve all given some thought to the mechanics of the stuff, and producing the desired amount of it in our next foal batch.

Even horses with the same genotype will vary with amounts of white expressed, yet there is one factor that influences the white’s expression to a certain degree.

. . . can you guess what it is? That’s okay, neither could I.

The factor is the horse’s base color - the color the horse would be if all dilutions, modifiers, and white patterns were removed. For example, a palomino sabino’s base color is chestnut, and a silver dun’s base color is bay.

It turns out that chestnut-based horses will generally express more white than a bay-based horse. And a bay-based horse will generally express more white than a black-based horse. Horses will also usually have more white on their hind legs than their front legs, and on their near side than their off side.

Interesting? I thought so.

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Chrome (in horse terminology): White markings
Genotype: Genetic make-up
Near side: A horse's left side
Off side: A horse's right side

SCRAPS and the Hickerson Case: Part 1

It's a scorching July day and Jan Hickerson is probably out managing her horse ranch along with the help of three hired hands. One solely feeds, the other waters, and the third does anything else that needs done.

Then SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service) shows up and seizes 25 horses. The charges? The horses "weren't getting enough food and water".

(Let me point out that this is the same organization that told a lady that the two ponies she had adopted were both mares . . . when they were geldings.)

Hickerson claims that SCRAPS is incorrect and her horses do not need to be taken, saying that they are fed everyday and receive plenty of hay. She also says her horses are ones that were unwanted and, usually arriving in a poor state of health, she is trying to nurse them back to health.

Others also defend Jan. “She's done a pretty good job of feeding them and putting weight on them, getting them in better shape and finding homes for them,” says neighbor Barbara Thompson.

SCRAPS isn't happy with this, however, and exports the horses immediately.[1]

Hickerson was charged with 21 counts of animal cruelty.


Who: Jeffrey and Jan Hickerson vs. SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service)
According to SCRAPS: The horses had open wounds, were emaciated, moldy hay, and no water was in sight
According to Jan: She previously had more horses than she could care for, and had hay sitting on trailers right then, and had just bought hay the night before
Results: Animal cruelty charges, arrest warrants (and Jeffrey arrested)

Works Cited
1. ^ "25 horses seized from West Plains ranch". KXLY. Retrieved 15 Mar. 2014. Web.
2. ^ "SCRAPS takes 60 horses from in animal cruelty investigation". KXLY. Retrieved 15 Mar. 2014. Web.

Affectionate Horses: Some Pictures!

I really adore it when the field horses forget that they've never been halter-broke and are affectionate to me. Not to mention, they make for cute pictures. :)

Oh hi, can I nuzzle your sleeve? 

If I show you my pretty nose, then will you scratch my rump? (Spirit's favorite spot to be scratched is right near her tail. Not sure why, lol.)

You aren't giving me proper attention; oh btw, is this edible? 

I'll pose for you if it means you'll itch my neck once you're done!

Wintry Field Horses

Here are more pictures of the field horses; this time in snow. :)