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How To Recognize Horse Face Markings

Face markings on horses are described and shown in photos below.

Horse face markings:

Not everyone agrees on what certain face markings should be called, and describing face markings is sometimes the cause of disagreement among horse people.

While the descriptions on this page can be considered reliable, it is very important that if you are registering a horse that you consult with the registering organization for their definitions of facial markings. Definitions can differ from one organization to another, and may be different than the descriptions we've used here.


No Markings / Minimal Markings

No Markings / Minimal Markings - "No markings" means there are no white hairs present in the shape of a marking on the face. "Minimal markings" means there are so few white hairs present that they are difficult to discern as a distinct marking.

Below: A sorrel horse without any face markings.

No markings on the face of this sorrel horse

 

Below: A chestnut horse without any face markings.

This horse doesn't have any face markings

Bald Face

Bald Face - A bald face is a very broad blaze that, for all or part of its length, extends to or past the inside corner of one or both eyes. A bald face typically is also a long marking running from the top of the face down to the nostrils, and often includes the nostrils. An especially wide bald face is sometimes called an apron face.

Below: A bald faced horse.

Horse face markings: bald face

 

Below: Another bald face.

Horse with a bald face

 

 

Blaze

Blaze - A blaze is a medium to wide white marking that runs for all or most of the length of the horse's face. They are usually even in width, or close to it, from top to bottom. If a blaze is oddly shaped it may be called an "irregular" blaze.

Below: A good example of a blaze.

Horse face markings: Blaze

 

Below: Another blaze.

Horse with a blaze face marking

 

 Below: A blaze on a bay horse..

A bay horse with a blaze 

 

Below: A blaze on a sorrel horse.

Blaze face on a horse

 

Below: This blaze is not quite as long as the ones shown above, but it is still a common type of blaze.

A sorrel horse with a blaze face marking

Snip

Snip - A snip is a white or flesh colored marking between the nostrils. The pink skin beneath the hair of the snip is often easily seen. According to some breed registries snips can run together with other markings, but other breed registries only call a snip a snip if it is disconnected from other markings.

Below: A large snip.

Horse face markings: Snip

 

Below: This horse has a star, a very short, thin, strip (barely visible), and a small snip.

Horse markings: Star and snip

 

Below: An elongated star and a small snip.

Horse with an elongated star and a snip

 


 

Star

Star - A star is a white marking on the forehead, usually defined as between or above the eyes. Stars can be large or small, and can come in any shape: Round, oval, crescent, half-moon, heart, or in any variety of irregular or hard to describe shapes.

Below: A star.

Horse face markings: star

 

Below: A large star.

A large star on a horse's head

 

Below: An elongated star.

An elongated star horse face marking

Horse Face Markings - Strip / Stripe

Strip / Stripe - A strip is a vertical white marking below the forehead and above the nostrils. It is very narrow compared to a blaze. A strip may run for all or only part of the length of the horse's face. A strip is also sometimes called a stripe. If a strip is not straight but is instead crooked or wavy, it may be called a "race."

Below: A connected star and strip.

Horse face markings: A connected star and strip

 

Below: Another connected star and strip.

Face markings on a horse: Connected star and strip

 

Below: A connected star, strip, and snip.

Star, strip, and snip face markings on a horse

 



 

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