Observations in coat patterns- base coat and gender

 I like to try to keep up with the current research on Appaloosa coat pattern genetics and while many studies are still incomplete and ongoing I find it fascinating. Appaloosas are truly a unique and beautiful breed. I tend not to take anyone source of information as the ultimate authority. Instead I like to research a variety of sources and put more weight on the more recent information. However, one site I visited on the internet confirmed a couple of things that I was aware of from my own breeding experience. One, that there is a tendency for more male leopards or very high colored appaloosas than females. The other, that the diameter and number of the spots was often larger in black based horses as opposed to red based. John always said he attributed it to like many animal species- that the males were more colorful as to attract females. I decided to check it out to see if our experience extended beyond simply our own program. One site I visited that did seem to confirm this was https://www.horsesandus.com/complete-guide-to-leopard...

This site cites the Appaloosa Project as it's source and did not include the influence of PATN1 which we know is a modifier and with the LP turned on kicks the coat patterns up to a whole new level. Still this is interesting.

My first observation was addressed here.

"Variation Of The Leopard Complex Pattern With Gender". It states:

A study has found that male horses tend to have bigger and more uniform leopard spots than female horses.

This may be the result of breeding programs where selection favors stallions with extensive uniform black spotting."

From our experience at Sawyer Creek, this has been true but with a few exceptions. Over the years, we have produced quite a few leopards- both large and small spotted but the majority of leopards were indeed male. But there are a few exceptions. Take for example our filly we currently own Gloribee. Glory is a buckskin leopard with huge diameter spots overall and she is out of Iem The One (AQHA) and bay. To say we were pleasantly surprised when she came out would be an understatement. The first thing I think when I see spotted legs and a head come out is, "It's a colt!" I love being proved wrong as I am a filly person. Indeed, our most colorful foals over years have mostly been male but now that may change. With Chip's LP and PATN/PATN if the foals get the LP we should be getting a lot more leopard fillies.

The second observation was born out with "Variation Of The Leopard Complex Pattern With The Base Color" This study states:

Leopard complex can be combined with any of the three base colors. However, a study has been done to demonstrate an association of the base coat color with white percentage and the type of patterns.

Bay base color results in a smaller white area (average 32% ) and more extensive solid-colored areas. Bay horses show a tendency towards a spotted blanket pattern. (Again, this does not take into consideration Chip's PATN/PATN which means when you get patten, you are getting A LOT OF PATTERN) It goes on:

Black base color results in the leopard pattern with an extensive white area (average 70%) and big black leopard spots uniformly distributed across the horse´s body.

Chestnut base color results in fewer spots which are also smaller in size."

I find this to be true from experience. . Even Glory, with her huge diameter spots is indeed black based as a buckskin. While we have had colorful red based foals, the diameter of the spots and the observance of peacock spotting is far less frequent. Our black or black based leopards can have huge peacocked spots! A flashy look we happen to like. Our red leopards will have smaller diameter spots- sometimes with peacocking, particularly noticeable on the larger spots. Now these red leopards bred to a black base can kick in with wonderful results.

While our observations our simply from our experiences and observations this information does help guide me in my selection and breeding. What is your experience? Do you get more high colored colts than fillies? Are your black based foals more colorful ie: larger diameter spots than your red based?