The brindle coloration in horses is extremely rare, and has also been noted in donkeys and even in the mule. The animal literally has a broken striping pattern mottling the body. Brindle in the donkey is less defined than on the horse or mule, but body striping is present. Some donkeys appear to have the beginnings of the brindle pattern in the ladder marks seen dripping off the dorsal stripe. Carry this one step further, and you have a donkey with dark lines over the back and ribs.
Mules always tend to have a ball with coat coloration and markings.
Just as the markings of horse pinto, donkey spotted and horse appaloosa patterns are skewed on the mule, the same is true for the dun factors. There may be more than one stripe at the withers, often one bold one and numerous smaller stripes fanning over the shoulder blades. The neck and rump may be darkened as if sprayed over with dark paint. End This article has been edited for this website and does not include all the original photos in the article. The pictures and information on this site are for informational purposes, in order to educate people on various forms of striping and primitive patterns.