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# White spotting
- URL: https://equinecolors.com/white-spotting/
- Published: 2026-02-17T11:48:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-10T10:55:13.000Z
- Description: White spotting (previously called dominant white) refers to a variety of white patterns caused by different KIT mutations. Up to 39 white spotting variations have currently been found.
- Author: Hannelore Roodhooft
- Tags: Colors, Patterns & Markings, KIT, #Import 2026-08-12 09:42

> There is a lot of variety in the type of pattern and amount of white caused by each white spotting variation. The expression varies from **leg** and **face markings** with or without white **belly patches**, to even a **nearly “white”** (also called max white) phenotype.  
>  
> The white markings and patches often have **irregular, jagged edges**. Leg markings tend to run higher up the **front side** of the legs. Face markings can wrap around the **lower lip** and/or **jaw** of the horse, while the area around the eye often remains solid. **White ticking** on the body is also quite common. It may also cause **blue eyes**.

>  
> The first variant to be discovered was sabino1; this naming convention has since been abandoned and all the following alleles have been named **W1-W39**. The term **"sabino"** is still often used to describe irregularly shaped white markings on horses with a (yet) unknown cause.  
>  
> For some time, white spotting was also named **dominant white** as it was thought the patterns were all dominant and non-viable (embryonic lethal) when homozygous. However, we now know this is not always the case.

## Patterns

[W8W8 is a white spotting pattern present in the Icelandic Horse.![](https://equinecolors.com/content/images/icon/favicon-169.ico)Equine ColorsHannelore Roodhooft![](https://equinecolors.com/content/images/thumbnail/w8eq.png)](https://equinecolors.com/w8/)

[W16W16 is a white spotting pattern present in the Oldenburg Horse.![](https://equinecolors.com/content/images/icon/favicon-200.ico)Equine ColorsHannelore Roodhooft![](https://equinecolors.com/content/images/thumbnail/w16-3.png)](https://equinecolors.com/w16/)

## Gene

KIT

## Presence in horses

White spotting can occur in many different breeds. Some variations, like W20, are widespread, but most are specific to a certain family in a breed, or even just a single horse.

[Back to White patterns](https://equinecolors.com/white-patterns/)

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