Brindle Horses/Not a Breed but Rather Color Markings

Brindle Equine Association

The Brindle pattern consists of a striping or partial striping over the body of an animal. It is commonly seen in Boxer dogs. Brindle coloring is rare in horses. Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Mustangs, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, German and Bavarian Warmbloods, Russian Horses, Spanish Horses, donkeys and mules have been known to produce brindle colored offspring.

Brindle pattern markings are not dun markings. Duns have a stripe down the back, barring on the legs, and occasional regular-spaced striping down the ribs. At one time, it was thought brindle was a just a variation of the dun factor. However, it is more likely that the brindle and dun horses are predisposed to producing a brindle color.

The horse's coat has a texturing to it. You will often see this type of texturing on a horse's rear. There seems to be a pattern to it. This pattern can turn up in a variety of colors in the coat.

Research seems to indicate that there may be a Brindle phenotype. In any event, it seems to indicate that there is a genetic component to produce the brindling.

For More Information:

Brindle Horses
Images of Different Brindling Patterns and Colors

Sources:
Permission given by my dear friend, Cowboy Frank to use his breeds section.
Oklahoma State University list of livestock breeds