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How Do Appaloosa Genes Work Together

Appaloosa Spotting Genes are some of the most complex Genetics in Hunt&Jump, they work together and react to one another in such a way, that every horse is unique. 

Proposed Talking Points

  1. In Game Vocabulary
  2. How Do Appaloosa Genes Work Together
In Game Vocabulary
In Game Vocabulary

Allele: It is a variant, or mutation, to a gene (e.g., LPP1 and LPP2 are Alleles of the LP Promoter Gene). Rarely used in H&J language, but seen in this article. 

Appaloosa Characteristics: Appaloosa (LP) will add mottling to the horses skin as well as Varnishing. 

Gene: A section of DNA that codes for a specific inheritance (e.g., Appaloosa is the Gene). For the purpose of H&J, Alleles are called Genes. Genes are what give our horses a variety of colors and patterns. 

Heterozygous: One copy of an Allele (i.e., LP/-). See this section for more information. 

Homozygous: Two copies of the same Allele (i.e., LP/LP). See this section for more information. 

How Do Appaloosa Genes Work Together

Heterozygous Appaloosa (LP) vs. Homozygous Appaloosa (LP/LP)
By itself, the LP gene is just a switch to turn on the expression of other genes. It will add Appaloosa Characteristics, but those characteristics do not change between Heterozygous and Homozygous expression. However when the LP gene is Homozygous, and paired with other Appaloosa Spotting Genes, you will see an extreme difference from the Heterozygous expression. 

HET_lp.jpg

Bay LP/-

HOM_LP_hetlpp2.jpg

Chestnut LP/LP, LPP2/-

HET_lp_patn1_lpp1_HOM_asr1.jpg

Brown LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/-, ASR1/ASR1

HOM_LP_het_patn1_lpp1.jpg

Liver Chestnut LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/-, ASR1/ASR1

Homozygous LP will remove Spots. Any genes that affect Spots will not be visible. 

The following sections describe some of the interactions within the Appaloosa Spotting Gene group. Expand each section to see examples. 

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1)

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1)

LP/-, PATN1/- : smaller spotted blanket, usually over the hips
LP/-, PATN1/PANT1 : larger spotted blanket, typically extending past the withers

HET_lp_HET_partn1.jpg

E/E, a/a, LP/-, PATN1/-

HET_lp_HOM_partn1.jpg

E/E, a/a, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1
Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1)

Homozygous  (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1)

Homozygous LP does not change Blanket size. It does however remove Spots from the Blanket. 

LP/LP, PATN1/- : smaller blanket, usually over the hips
LP/LP, PATN1/PANT1 : larger blanket, typically extending past the withers

HOM_lp_HET_partn1.jpg

E/E, A/a, LP/LP, PATN1/-

HOM_lp_HOM_partn1.jpg

E/E, A/a, LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1
LP + Snowflake Varnish (snow)

Heterozygous (LP) + Snowflake Varnish (snow)

LP/-, snow/- : snowflake varnish will not show unless Homozygous
LP/-, snow/snow : white spots that multiple with time, can be influenced by other genes

HET_lp_HOM_snow.jpg

E/E, A/a, LP/-, snow/snow

Homozygous  (LP/LP) + Snowflake Varnish (snow)

Homozygous LP does not change the expression of Snowflake. Will appear the same as Heterozygous LP. 

Future Study on Snowflake interactions

LP + Varnish Regulator 2 (H)

Heterozygous (LP) + Varnish Regulator 2 (H)

LP/-, H/- : will have smaller expression of Halo ring
LP/-, H/H: results in greater expression of Halo ring

HETpatn1_vrn_lpp1_HOMsty_h.jpg

LP/-, PATN1/-1, LPP1/-, Vrn/-, Sty/Sty, H/-

HETpatn1_vrn_lpp1_HOMsty_hh.jpg

LP/-, PATN1/-1, LPP1/-, Vrn/-, Sty/Sty, H/H
 Homozygous  (LP/LP) + Varnish Regulator 2 (H)

Since Homozygous LP removes Spots, the Varnish Regulator 2 Gene will have nothing to affect. 

See Study #2: Appaloosa + Halo for more results on how Halo interacts with Appaloosa Spotting Genes and Base Color.

LP + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1)

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1)

The nature of the Appaloosa Gene (LP) does not actually add spots to the coat. Because of this, without any spots to affect, ASR1 will not show in the presence of only LP. 

See the section LP + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1) below for more information.

16744716.jpg

E/e, A/A, D/-. DFP1/DFP1, Sty/Sty, P/P, LP/-, ASR1/ASR1

Homozygous  (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1)

Since Homozygous LP removes Spots, the Appaloosa Spot Regulator Gene will have nothing to affect regardless of what other Spotting Genes are present. 

LP + Varnish Promoter (Vrn)

Heterozygous (LP) + Varnish Promoter (Vrn)

LP/-, Vrn/- : single copy of Varnish speeds up Varnishing as the horse ages
LP/-, Vrn/Vrn : two copies of Varnish makes a horse Varnish faster

SmokyBlack_Varnish01.jpg

E/E, a/a, Cr/-, Sty/Sty, DP/-, LP/-, Vrn/-

 

SmokyBlack_Varnish02.jpg E/E, a/a, Cr/-, Sty/Sty, DP/-, LP/-, Vrn/Vrn

 

Brown_HET Vrn.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/Sty, DP/DP, LP/-, Vrn/- , age 19

Brown_HOM Vrn.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/Sty, DP/DP, LP/-, Vrn/Vrn , age 19

Homozygous  (LP/LP) + Varnish Promoter (Vrn)

Homozygous LP does not change the expression of Varnish. Will appear the same as Heterozygous LP. 

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP1)

Check out Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) to see examples of PATN1 Blanket Size. LPP1 adds to PATN1 by spreading the Blanket. 

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP1)

LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/- : extends Blanket Size, generally over the ribs
LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP1 : extends Blanket Size, generally beyond the withers
LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/- : extends Blanket Size to Near-Leopard, typically leaves colored Points
LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/LPP1 : extends Blanket Size to Near-Leopard, typically leaves colored Points

 

HETappy_HETlpp1.jpg

E/e, A/a, LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/-

 

HETappy_HOMlpp1.jpg

E/e, A/a, LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP1

 

HETappy_HETlpp1_HOMPatn1.jpg

E/e, A/a, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/-

 

HETappy_HOMlpp1_HOMPatn1.jpg

E/e, A/a, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/LPP1

See Study #1: PATN1 + LPP1/LPP2 to see more examples of LP Promoter interaction with Appaloosa Blanket Size

Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP1)

Check out Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) to see examples of PATN1 Blanket Size. LPP1 adds to PATN1 by spreading the Blanket. 

Homozygous LP does not change Blanket size. It does however remove Spots from the Blanket. 

Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP1)

LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/- : extends Blanket Size, generally over the ribs
LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP1 : extends Blanket Size, generally beyond the withers
LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/- : extends Blanket Size to Near-Leopard, typically leaves colored Points
LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/LPP1 : extends Blanket Size to Near-Leopard, typically leaves colored Points

HOMlp_HETpatn1_HETlpp1.jpg

 

E/e, a/a, LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/-

HOMlp_HETpatn1_HOMlpp1.jpg

 

E/e, a/a, LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP1

HOMlp_HOMpatn1_HETlpp1.jpg

 

E/e, a/a, LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/-

HOMlp_HOMpatn1_HOMlpp1.jpg

 

E/e, a/a, LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP1/LPP1

See Study #1: PATN1 + LPP1/LPP2 to see more examples of LP Promoter interaction with Appaloosa Blanket Size

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP2)

Check out Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) to see examples of PATN1 Blanket Size. LPP1 adds to PATN1 by spreading the Blanket. 

Heterozygous (LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP2)

LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP2/- : extends Blanket Size beyond the withers, reduces Spot Size
LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP2/LPP2 : extends Blanket Size up the neck and to the knees, extremely reduces Spot Size
LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/- : extends Blanket Size to a Near-Leopard, reduces Spot Size
LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/LPP2 : extends Blanket Size to a Leopard, extremely reduces Spot Size

 

HETlp_HETpatn1_HETlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP2/-

 

HETlp_HETpatn1_HOMlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP2/LPP2

 

HETlp_HOMpatn1_HETlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/-

 

HETlp_HOMpatn1_HOMlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/LPP2

See Study #1: PATN1 + LPP1/LPP2 to see more examples of LP Promoter interaction with Appaloosa Blanket Size

Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP2)

Check out Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) to see examples of PATN1 Blanket Size. LPP1 adds to PATN1 by spreading the Blanket. 

Homozygous LP does not change Blanket size. It does however remove Spots from the Blanket. 

Homozygous (LP/LP) + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP2)

LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP2/- : extends Blanket Size, generally beyond the withers
LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP2/LPP2 : extends Blanket Size, generally up the neck and to the knees
LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/- : extends Blanket Size to a Few Spot Pattern, typically leaves small colored Points
LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/LPP2 : extends Blanket Size to a Few Spot Pattern, typically leaves horse White

HOMlp_HETpatn1_HETlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP2/-

 

HOMlp_HETpatn1_HOMlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP2/LPP2

 

HOMlp_HOMpatn1_HETlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/-

HOMlp_HOMpatn1_HOMlpp2.jpg

E/e, A/a, Sty/-, P/P, LP/LP, PATN1/PATN1, LPP2/LPP2

See Study #1: PATN1 + LPP1/LPP2 to see more examples of LP Promoter interaction with Appaloosa Blanket Size

LP + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + LP Promoter (LPP1 & LPP2)

Homozygous LP does not change Blanket size. It does however remove Spots from the Blanket. 

LP + LP Promoter (LPP1 & LPP2)

LP/-, LPP1/LPP2 : when combined the two LP Promoter genes create a small spotted blanket over the hips
LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP2 : creates a large spotted blanket with reduced Spot Size
LP/LP, LPP1/LPP2 : when combined the two LP Promoter genes create a small blanket over the hips
LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP2 : creates a large blanket

LP_LPP1_LPP2.jpg

e/e, A/A, Sty/Sty, LP/-, LPP1/LPP2

 

LP_PATN1_LPP1_LPP2.jpg

e/e, A/A, Sty/Sty, LP/-, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP2

 

LPhom_LPP1_LPP2.jpg

e/e, A/A, Sty/Sty, LP/LP, LPP1/LPP2

LPhom_PATN1_LPP1_LPP2.jpg

e/e, A/A, Sty/Sty, LP/LP, PATN1/-, LPP1/LPP2

See Study #1: PATN1 + LPP1/LPP2 to see more examples of LP Promoter interaction with Appaloosa Blanket Size

LP + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1)

Homozygous LP does not change Spot size. It does however remove Spots from the Blanket. 

LP + Appaloosa Blanket Size (PATN1) + Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1)

LP/-, PATN1/-, ASR1/- : the presence of ASR1 will create larger spots
LP/-, PATN1/-, ASR1/ASR1 : two copies of ASR1 will produce even larger spots
LP/LP, PATN1/-, ASR1/ASR1 : homozygous LP removes Spots, ASR1 won't be visible

HET_patn1_HET_asr1.jpg

E/e, A/A, LP/-, PATN1/-, ASR1/-

 

HET_patn1_HOM_asr1.jpg

E/e, A/A, LP/-, PATN1/-, ASR1/ASR1

 

HOM_patn1_HET_asr1.jpg

E/e, A/A, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, ASR1/-

HOM_patn1_HOM_asr1.jpg

E/e, A/A, LP/-, PATN1/PATN1, ASR1/ASR1

Check out Study #3: Appaloosa Spot Regulator (ASR1) for more examples of how other genes react with ASR1. 

Snowflake Varnish (snow) + Varnish Promoter (Vrn) 

 Snowflake Varnish (snow) + Varnish Promoter (Vrn) 

snow/snow, -/- : base color is clear, snowflake spotting is spread out
snow/snow, Vrn/- : base color is varnished, snowflake spotting is more concentrated
snow/snow, Vrn/Vrn : base color is extremely varnished, snowflake spotting is densely concentrated

HOMSnow_noVrn.jpg

Chestnut LP/-, snow/snow, -/-

HOMSnow_HETVrn.jpg

Chestnut LP/-, snow/snow, Vrn/-

HOMSnow_HOMVrn.jpg

Chestnut LP/-, snow/snow, Vrn/Vrn

This information was compiled by Cheshire Farms on the Bluegrass Server and is current as of November 26, 2023. 
Special thank you to Ammit, Cavalynn and Cheshire Farms for contributing photos to this article. 

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