Leg Markings on Horses

Leg markings are areas of white hair that extend up from the hoof on an otherwise the dark-colored horse. There is so much variety in leg markings and so many unique combinations that leg markings are an important way to identify individual horses -- they're important enough that even old horse proverbs mention them. Horses may have four similar white markings on their legs, or the leg markings can be completely different on each leg.

For example, a horse may have no white on one leg, a high stocking on another, a coronet on another and a sock on another. Leg and facial markings are sometimes passed on from one generation of horses to the next. For example, Arabian horses of Crabbet bloodlines often have wide white facial markings along with four white stockings. Horses with particularly flashy and eye-catching white on their legs are said to have "chrome."

What Is Chrome

Lots of chrome can present a grooming challenge. For a show, these flashy markings are sometimes tricky to keep clean and there are many grooming tips to keep them white. 

Reasons for Accurate Documentation of Markings

For breed registration and other official paperwork, you must accurately draw the markings on the documents you will submit. You may also have to write a description, and that means you have to use the right terminology. If your horse were to go missing, it's helpful to have clear photos that show its white markings, a written description, and you may need to be able to describe its markings accurately when giving information.

Patterns of Markings

Most often, if a horse has white leg markings, the hoof wall will be white too. Anywhere there is a patch of body hair or an ermine mark, there may be a dark stripe down the hoof. As grey horses age, the leg and facial markings may not be as obvious. However, they are still there, because the skin underneath white leg markings is pink, and the skin under the coat color will be grey. The shape of leg markings does not change though, regardless of the age of any colored horse. If a horse was born with four white stockings, the shape of the stockings will remain the same throughout the horse's life.