AGRICULTURAL NEWS - In 2008, the gene for the ‘leopard spots’ seen in the Appaloosa and other breeds, including the Knabstrupper and miniatures, was found to be linked to congenital stationary night blindness.
The condition is present at birth (congenital) and does not get worse with age (stationary). Affected horses cannot see well in the dark, and may refuse to enter horseboxes or walk into dark stables in the daytime.
An incompletely dominant leopard complex gene, Lp, is responsible for all the types of white and dark spots seen in horse coats. The leopard gene also causes the horse to show a white sclera in its eyes and have mottled or blotchy skin around the muzzle, eyes, genitals and under its tail.
