Horses With Badger Face Markings

A look at horses with badger face markings around the world and on a variety of different breeds.

The badger or occluding face marking is generally associated with pinto white patterns and given the nickname because they look like the markings on a badger’s face, as seen below.

Actual badger face
Actual European Badger Face
Actual badger face
Actual American Badge Face

Occluded markings are often seen on solid color animals, this is likely a minimal expression of a pinto gene. In addition, some grey animals may mimic similar markings as they loose their coloring, as can appaloosas. Generally only pintos will display a true badger face, with base color seeming to cover white face markings. This can display as interrupted blaze and stripe markings or as strips of white in strange places on the face.

Horse with badger face
Horse with badger face
Horse with badger face
Horse with badger face

Image from Fazenda do IZ em Colina under the CC BY 2.0 license