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Horse colors
Leopard spotted (Чубарая in Russian): small dark spots on a light background, over the whole body or just the hindquarters (blanket). Rare except in a few breeds.
| Russian name | Чубарая |
|---|---|
| Shades | leopard, blanket, snowflake, few-spot |
| Body | small dark spots on a light background, over the whole body or just the hindquarters (blanket) |
| Mane and tail | often thin and short |
| Legs | hooves are often striped |
| With age | the pattern can change a little with age |
| How common | rare except in a few breeds |
The leopard complex gene causes the spotting. These horses often have mottled skin around the eyes and muzzle and a white ring around the iris, like human eyes.
Unlike a pinto, the spots are small rather than large patches. They can be any base color.
Spotted horses were painted in the Pech Merle cave in France about 25,000 years ago, and DNA studies confirmed that such horses really lived then.
What to use: white plush with black or brown felt spots or fabric paint; an «Appaloosa» hobby horse is a favourite. Free hobby horse pattern →
Source: Wikipedia