Brindle is characterized by a vertical striping pattern with a change of pigment and sometimes a change of texture associated with it. This type of marking commonly found in both cattle in dogs, but rare in equines. These marks vary, but are generally found running vertically down the belly, they can be dark on a lighter coat or reverse brindle which is white against the base coat (we’ve noticed this type specifically on Mongolian animals).
Brindle Types
There is some confusion surrounding this type of marking, as it can occur for different reasons. While the theories below may be possible causes of brindling patterns, there is only one type associated with reproductive DNA which can be passed along to progeny. It is unclear what the difference between dark brindle and reverse is or where they both fit into the categories below.
Chimeric Brindle
Some brindles are chimeras and their coloration is the result of twin embryos fusing in utero, creating an animal with two different sets of genetic instructions. This can display in many different ways, brindling is simply one possibility.
Mosaic Brindle
It’s also be possible that some brindling comes from somatic mutations, which come from a cell within the embryo mutating, then continuing to divide. This also results in dual sets of genetic instructions, but is generally limited to strange patches of different colors.
Genetic Brindle
The only kind of brindling which is associated with reproductive DNA is called Brindle Coat Texture (BR1). Known to be found in Quarter Horses and Paints. This type is characterized by vertical stripes in the coat that display a change of texture and sometimes pigment in females, varying by animal. In males the gene causes sparse mane and tail hairs, but not brindling patterns. This type can appear on any base color and tends to show strong seasonal changes.
