The Ultimate Guide to Facial Markings of Horses: Stars, Snips, Strips, and Blazes

The Ultimate Guide to Facial Markings of Horses: Stars, Snips, Strips, and Blazes

Welcome to sunny Pink Flamingo Stables in Lake Worth, Florida! Whether you are visiting us for relaxing trail riding through the scenery or signing up for kids' riding lessons, the first thing you’ll notice is that every horse has a unique face.

As one of the premier horse riding centers in Lake Worth, we believe horsemanship starts on the ground. Learning to identify a horse by their markings is crucial. These patches of white hair are like human fingerprints—no two patterns are exactly alike. Before you saddle up for your next riding lessons, here is a quick guide to the four most common facial markings so you know exactly who you are greeting. Sign up for horseback riding lessons today!

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The Star

This is usually the easiest to spot. A star is any white marking found on the horse’s forehead, situated above the line of the eyes. Despite the name, it doesn’t have to be star-shaped; it can be a tiny dot, a faint crescent, or a large, irregular splotch.

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The Snip

Move your gaze down to the horse's muzzle. A snip is a distinct, unconnected white marking located between or just below the nostrils. The skin underneath a snip is often pink.

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The Strip

Sometimes called a stripe, this is a narrow, relatively straight band of white hair that runs down the center of the bridge of the nose. It often connects a star on the forehead to a snip on the nose.

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The Blaze

Think of a blaze as the bolder cousin of the strip. It is a wide white marking that runs the entire length of the horse's face, from forehead to muzzle.

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Next time you are at the barn, test your knowledge! See how many stars, snips, strips, and blazes you can identify before your ride, and if you are interested in the best horseback riding lessons in Lake Worth, Florida, call Pink Flamingo Stables today.

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