Unique Color and Markings

Not only do a horse's unique markings and color contribute to the animal's physical beauty, they also serve an important purpose in identifying one horse from another. Brown, black, chestnut, grey, and white are the most common horse colors. In many cases the mane, tail, and body are a number of different combinations.

Signalment (the formal term for a horse's natural markings) is one of the most accurate ways experts identify the wild horses they study. These markings appear in many different places on a horse's body. Many horses have a distinctive star on the head or a wide stripe down the face called a blaze.

These markings are also commonly found on the legs. Some horses have a full stocking, or a white patch extending to the knee, while others only have half stockings. To get even more specific, experts use small markings near the hooves for identification. The experts who study wild horses usually maintain an archive of pictures displaying the distinguishing features of each horse.

Branding

Many horses also receive man-made markings from owners. These brandings are done with either a hot iron or a cold instrument to make a permanent mark. This is especially useful to a person who owns many horses.

While every horse has a distinct personality and demeanor, their physical markings and colors are the easiest ways to tell them apart.