Can All Horses Get Dapples?

Dapples are also possible if your horse has the silver dapple gene. This gene is common in Scandinavian breeds, as well as a few American breeds. The silver dapple gene is responsible for diluting the base coat color (normally black). You may also have a horse that dapples if he is true gray horse.

Do all horses have Dapples?

Many gray horses have dapples at some point in their lives. They are typically not born with this marking, and many times aren't even born gray -- they can be born with any base color, often black but also chestnut or brown.

What causes a horse to get Dapples?

Dapples result from variation in the patterns of red vs. black pigment along the hair shaft, rather than changes in pigmentation across the skin. This is why they disappear when you clip a dappled horse. Genes that respond to changes in nutrition control the deposition of black pigment along the length of the hair.