The LP Complex

I can't tell his conformation from that picture, but the color is pretty stunning. I don't know how old he is, but Appys with contrast like that that don't varnish and hold their color are real gems...

What pattern is he? Or he multiple patterns? How can you tell?

That black and white stallion (I presume) while very handsome looks butt high to me but I'm no where near a conformation expert. He appears to be a snowcap with a blanket mixed in.

The "butt-high" you're seeing is probably due to the angle. Notice his feet, his back hooves are closer to the camera than the front of his body. That would cause the illusion that his rump is higher than his withers.

Is this mare a snowcap? This is one of her sons as well.

I am not the best informed on the leopard complex and my understanding may be out of date, but aren't there at least 2 or 3 genes that determine the pattern?

LP-determines IF there is color but not necessarily how much and controls Varnish, although if homozygous produces white areas with no spots (Few Spot, Snowcap)

PATN1 and PATN2 determine HOW MUCH color is present and thus snow flake, blanket, leopard, near leopard. And in different combinations will produce wildly different results.

I'm sure I don't have a complete understanding of it all, so you can kick me if I'm wrong.

He's a blanket with spots. No sign of varnish yet, but that is always a possibility with Appys...

No. She is a blanket with spots and a varnish roan.

As to her son, it is hard to tell from that picture. It looks like he has small spots in his blanket, but that could be dirt...


ETA...here is a picture of one of mine, a snowcap, with a similar pattern to yours, and notice there are no spots in his blanket...

Santa Fe Unbelievable - standing at stud in Brazil: Venda Cobertura Garanhão Appaloosa - Santa Fé Unbelievable (Cavalos) a BRL 500 em PrecioLandia Brasil (7e51i5)