Sabino in the Arabian

One spotting pattern, sabino, does exist in purebred Arabians. The sabino gene (or gene-complex), produces white markings such as "high white" on the legs (above the knees and hocks), irregular spotting on the legs, belly and face, white markings that extend beyond the eyes or under the chin and jaw, and occasionally, roaning. While many Arabians meet the definition of having minimal to moderately expressed sabino characteristics, Sabino Arabians, particularly those that appear to be nearly white, are controversial.

Today, some researchers call "Sabino-white" horses - those that are over 90% white (with pink skin) - "maximum" sabinos. "Sabino-white" is exceedingly uncommon, possibly exhibited by as few as eleven Arabians worldwide. Some groups consider a "Maximum" Sabino to be a horse that is over 50% white. In either case, studies at the University of California, Davis indicate that the gene (or genes) which produces sabino in Arabians does not appear to be the autosomal dominant gene "SB1" or "Sabino1," that often produces completely white horses in other breeds. To date Arabians do not appear to carry it.