In Minecraft’s Java Edition, players can encounter and utilize 35 distinct horse variants, each contributing to a horse’s unique base color and markings. These variants are categorized into five fundamental breeds: solid-colored, horses with white stockings and blazes, those with white patches, horses featuring white dots, and the “black sooty” type. Understanding these variations is particularly useful for players who frequently use the /summon command to spawn horses with specific appearances. This guide explores each of these categories and provides examples of their visual characteristics.
Solid-Colored Horses
The simplest horse variants are those with a uniform color and no discernible markings. These horses can appear in a range of base colors including white, creamy, chestnut, brown, black, gray, and dark brown. Each of these solid colors corresponds to a specific variant number, allowing for precise spawning via commands.
| Variant | Base Color | Markings | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | White | None |  horse variant 0 |
| 1 | Creamy | None |  horse variant 1 |
| 2 | Chestnut | None |  horse variant 2 |
| 3 | Brown | None |  horse variant 3 |
| 4 | Black | None |  horse variant 4 |
| 5 | Gray | None |  horse variant 5 |
| 6 | Dark Brown | None |  horse variant 6 |
Horses with White Stockings and Blaze
This group of horse variants features distinct white markings on their legs, known as stockings, and a prominent white stripe down the middle of their face, called a blaze. Similar to the solid-colored horses, these variants are available in the same spectrum of base colors, each associated with a unique variant ID.
| Variant | Base Color | Markings | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256 | White | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 256 |
| 257 | Creamy | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 257 |
| 258 | Chestnut | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 258 |
| 259 | Brown | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 259 |
| 260 | Black | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 260 |
| 261 | Gray | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 261 |
| 262 | Dark Brown | White Stockings and Blaze |  horse variant 262 |
Horses with White Patches
Often resembling the “Paint Horse” breed in real life, these Minecraft variants are characterized by irregular white patches scattered across their coats, creating a visually striking and colorful pattern. The placement and size of these patches can vary, adding to the distinctiveness of each horse. The paint horse breeds in reality are known for their unique coat patterns, much like these in-game variants.
| Variant | Base Color | Markings | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 512 | White | White Patches |  horse variant 512 |
| 513 | Creamy | White Patches |  horse variant 513 |
| 514 | Chestnut | White Patches |  horse variant 514 |
| 515 | Brown | White Patches |  horse variant 515 |
| 516 | Black | White Patches |  horse variant 516 |
| 517 | Gray | White Patches |  horse variant 517 |
| 518 | Dark Brown | White Patches |  horse variant 518 |
Horses with White Dots
Known as “Snowflake Appaloosa,” these horse variants are adorned with a coat covered in white spots or flecks. This distinctive spotted pattern is a key characteristic, differentiating them from other horse types in the game. Exploring different horse breeds, whether real or in-game, can offer a diverse range of appearances. For instance, the diversity seen in horse breeds south africa showcases a wide array of natural coat variations.
| Variant | Base Color | Markings | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 768 | White | White Dots |  horse variant 768 |
| 769 | Creamy | White Dots |  horse variant 769 |
| 770 | Chestnut | White Dots |  horse variant 770 |
| 771 | Brown | White Dots |  horse variant 771 |
| 772 | Black | White Dots |  horse variant 772 |
| 773 | Gray | White Dots |  horse variant 773 |
| 774 | Dark Brown | White Dots |  horse variant 774 |
Horses – Black Sooty
The “Black Sooty” variants possess a unique aesthetic modifier that gives them the appearance of having soot smudged across their backs. This effect is achieved by intermingling black hairs within their base coat color, resulting in a darker, often mottled, appearance. This type of variation adds another layer of visual complexity to the horses available in the game. The concept of wild horse breeds also highlights the diverse natural appearances that can occur.
| Variant | Base Color | Markings | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1024 | White | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1024 |
| 1025 | Creamy | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1025 |
| 1026 | Chestnut | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1026 |
| 1027 | Brown | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1027 |
| 1028 | Black | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1028 |
| 1029 | Gray | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1029 |
| 1030 | Dark Brown | Black Sooty |  horse variant 1030 |
Example of How to Use a Variant
The primary application for these variant IDs is in conjunction with the /summon command. By specifying the desired variant number within the command, players can spawn horses with exact appearances. For instance, to summon a black horse with the solid-colored variant (ID 4), the command would be:
