Dapples
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Dapples are circular patterns in a horse’s coat that contrast with the surrounding hair. They’re most visible on bays, blacks, and greys, especially in spring and summer. While some horses are genetically predisposed to dapple, others may never show them, no matter how healthy they are.
Dapples can appear and disappear based on a combination of genetics, nutrition, seasonal changes, and overall health.
Dapples are a transient bloom, not a permanent feature. Their presence reflects a moment of optimal health, nutrition, and care, but their absence doesn’t always mean something’s wrong.
Role of Genetics
Dapples are genetically influenced: Some horses are predisposed to develop visible dapples due to their coat colour and pigment distribution.
Dapples in greys:
Grey horses often show dapples as part of their natural colour progression, especially during the intermediate stages of greying. All grey horses carry the grey dominant gene, which causes progressive depigmentation. Foals are born a base colour (e.g., bay, black, chestnut) and gradually lighten as they age.
As some grey horses reach near-white, they begin to develop small reddish-brown or dark speckles which are referred to as “flea bitten”. These are retained pigment spots from their original coat colour.
Chestnuts rarely dapple: Due to their uniform red pigment (phaeomelanin) and lack of contrast, chestnuts typically don’t develop true dapples even when in excellent health.
Common dapple-prone colours: Bays, blacks, and greys are most likely to show dapples. These colours have the right melanin patterns and contrast to make dapples visible.
The two primary pigments responsible for hair colour are:
Eumelanin: This pigment is responsible for black and brown colours in hair.
Phaeomelanin: This pigment is responsible for red and yellow colours in hair.
The amount and combination of these pigments within the hair shaft determine the hair colour.
The genes for white and grey coat colour mask other inherited colours.
Dilution of the basic eumelanin/phaeomelanin coat colours results in cream, dun, champagne, and silver colours. The most common dilution in horses produces the golden palomino or buckskin colour.
You can read more about inherited colour here:
Genetics set the stage, and nutrition and health may enhance visibility, but not every horse can dapple no matter how well-fed or groomed.
Key Nutrients That Support Dappling
While no single mineral “creates” dapples, certain nutrients are essential for coat health and pigmentation:
Copper: Supports melanin production (pigment), connective tissue, and coat colour. Deficiency can cause dullness or fading.
Zinc: Crucial for skin integrity, hair growth, and immune health. Zinc works in tandem with copper, so it’s important those ratios are correct.
These two minerals are typically deficient in Australia pastures and hays.
We have three trace mineral mixes which all have the correct zinc:copper ratio. Most clients see a dramatic improvement in coat colour on these mixes - along with a range of other benefits.
Avoid any feeds that contain iron, which can block copper and zinc uptake. Iron is already abundant in Australian pastures and hays. It is highly unlikely that your horse would be iron deficient.
Here is a study from Poland that measured the improvement in horse hair after supplementation with copper and zinc.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Promote skin hydration and coat shine. Found in flaxseed, and chia. Our Chia Trace Mix combines chia seeds with the correct rations of copper, zinc and iodine, making it a great choice for those chasing dapples. It is a favourite among our clients who compete in breed classes.
You can also buy flaxseed either as a meal or whole seeds.
Read more about fatty acids and oils here.
Protein (esp. lysine): Needed for hair structure and regrowth. A good source of lysine is soy bean meal.
Vitamin A: Supports skin and hair follicle health. A good source of vitamin A for your horse is carrots, and a great way to give them is carrot stretches, which will improve musculo-skeletal health at the same time.
If your horse is healthy, shiny, and dapple-free - don’t worry. Dapples are a bonus, not a baseline. Focus on balanced nutrition, good forage, and consistent care.
The glow will follow.
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