Intro to Leg Markings

Smaller white markings on the legs are most often named for the part of the leg they cover. This horse has a white Coronet Band on his right front leg.

This grey horse has a white Fetlock on his right hind leg. Hooves on colored legs are usually dark, while the hooves on legs with white markings are shell-colored.

This is the same horse from the previous picture. The light areas inside his cannons and on the backs of his fetlocks are where he is turning grey.

As grey horses age and turn white, it can be more difficult to see their leg markings. The three white legs on this pony have already started to blend in with the rest of his coat.

Dapple grey horses often have mottled legs. Other dappled horses can have mottled legs, too, like this dappled palomino.

White markings on the legs that extend past the fetlock are called Socks. White markings that extend all the way to the knees or hocks are called Stockings. Dark spots inside the white markings are called Ermine Spots.

Not all white leg markings touch the hooves. Some horses have white knee patches. These are most common in horses with one of the overo patterns.

Appaloosas sometimes have colored areas on the front and back of their white legs. Sometimes these are as small as two triangles, but on some horses – like this one – the color extends up the front and back of the leg. This makes it look like the white leg was outlined with color.

White leg markings are more common on the hind legs than on the front legs. The horse to the left is a little unusual for having a White Pastern on his front leg without any white on either of his hind legs.

Horses that have a lot of white on their legs usually have a good amount of white on the face. This horse has four Stockings and also a Blaze that wraps all the way around his muzzle and under his jaw.

Stockings often come to a long, ragged point in the front. The gray outline around a marking is called Mapping.