White leg markings are quite common. They are used to identify horses, especially on registry applications and veterinary paperwork such as Coggins tests.



The white markings on the legs are named according to their location and height. The following are common terms.

Coronet – the coronet is a band above the hoof. A white strip on the coronet is also called coronet.
Pastern – the pastern is the narrow part of the leg between the angle and the hoof. A white marking extending to the top of the pastern is also called pastern.
Ankle – the ankle marking is white extending up the leg to cover the ankle.
Half stocking – the cannon is the part of the leg between the ankle and the knee or, on the back legs, between the ankle and the hock. White extending midway up the cannon is called the half-stocking.
Stocking – the stocking is white extending all the way up to the knee.

A horse may only have white covering the heel, and may be referred to as outside heel white extending, outside heel, or inside heel.

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