Photographing a Minimal White Paint—Leg White

Leg white can satisfy the APHA Regular Registry color requirement, but the white must fall in quite specific areas. Consequently, when basing registration on leg white, photos must clearly show both the qualifying white and the reference points used by the Registration Department.

High Front Leg White

Front leg white must extend more than 2 inches either horizontally or vertically above a horizontal line drawn around the leg midway between the center of the knee and the floor of the chest.

When taking this photo, give yourself every advantage and stand the horse squarely. Get down on your knee so that the camera is about level with the center of the horse's leg. Be sure that the photo shows the floor of the horse's chest and the horse's knee, the reference points the Registration Department uses to determine qualification.

Place a ruler with easily-seen numbers, in close proximity to the leg white. If you are basing registration on horizontal leg white, it may be more convenient to use a flexible cloth measuring tape.

Once the Registration Department receives this photo, the reference lines will be drawn and checked to see that the white extends--either horizontally or vertically--for more than 2 inches above the line. Do not draw the reference lines yourself.

High Hind Leg White

The procedure for photographing high hind leg white is the same as for the front leg. However, the reference points change on the back leg. It is important to make sure your photos clearly show both the hind leg's reference points and the qualifying area.

On the back leg, the qualifying white must extend more than 2 inches beyond a horizontal line that falls midway between the point of the hock and the fullest point of the stifle joint. Again, to give yourself every advantage stand your horse squarely when you take the photos.

Be sure the reference points are clearly seen in the photo. Position the tape measure next to the qualifying area to show its size.

As with the other registration photos you plan to submit, take these in the morning or late afternoon. Keep the sun to your back so the subject is well illuminated. Don't allow mud or dirt to hold up the registration process. Be sure your horse is clean when you take your photos.

As with any matter concerning registration, if you have questions about the photos needed to register your horse, feel free to call APHA at (817) 834-2742, extension 788.

This photo demonstrates the proper way to document high leg white on the front leg. The red lines were drawn by the APHA Registration Department to show the floor of the chest and the center of the knee.

High leg white on the hind leg is documented by photographing an area showing the point of the hock and the fullest part of the stifle joint.