Skewbald

Skewbald is a coat color pattern most commonly described in horses and ponies, though it can be observed in other animals. It refers to white patches on a base coat of any color other than black. The white areas are irregular in shape and distribution, and can range from small patches to large areas of the body. The term is widely used in the United Kingdom and Ireland; in North America, the same pattern is often simply described as white on a non-black background, or contrasted with piebald for white on black.

Distinction from piebald: Piebald denotes white on a black base, whereas skewbald denotes white on any other color. Some registries and regions treat the terms as interchangeable for certain patterns, but the general distinction remains based on the color of the base coat involved with the white patches. Both terms describe coat color rather than breed or lineage.

Genetics and occurrence: Skewbald patterns arise from the distribution of pigment-producing cells during development and involve multiple genetic factors, including various white spotting alleles. The pattern is highly variable and can occur with many base colors such as chestnut, bay, palomino, or gray. The presence of white patches affects appearance and may influence registration or market value, but it does not inherently indicate health problems.

Other animals and terminology: While most commonly discussed in horses, skewbald and piebald terminology is used for other animals with similar white-and-color patterns. Usage can vary by country, breed, and registry, reflecting regional naming conventions rather than standardized genetics.