The child’s question was innocent, “Why does that horse have spots?” The answer requires some digging beyond genetics. Janet Jones, PhD, discusses dappling as partly genetic but adds some horses develop them with good health and nutrition.
Sources:
- Dapples! Horse Network, August 21, 2024. Link. Jones also talks about growth in horses beyond 4 years of age.
- The mystery of dapples unveiled, Complete Horse Guide, August 8, 2024. Link. The author notes that dapples can change over time.
- Horse dapples 101, Equine Helper. Link.
INSIGHTS: The child mentioned was me looking at pictures taken of my great grandfather’s registered Percheron stud circa 1935. I was probably five years old then, and dappled horses have captured my attention ever since.