Horse Coat – An Introduction
The colors, patterns and markings of horses are based on genetics both determined and at random. When speaking of a horse color it is best to use the…
Category: Coat colors and patterns
Horse Coat Color – Base Coat Colors Of Red And Black
Independent of what a horse looks like, there are only 2 base colors of horses - red and black. From there horses layer modifiers and dilutors and th…
Horse Coat Color – Base Modifiers – The Agouti Control Of Black (Bay)
The Agouti gene controls where the black pigment of black horses is seen by restricting the black to the lower legs, the ears, the mane and the tail.
Horse Coat Color – Base Modifiers – The Dominant Gray Gene
Any horse of any color has the opportunity to become gray over time if they have the dominant gene for graying - at least 1 parent needs to be a gray …
Horse Coat Color – Dilutions – The Cream Gene
The cream dilution gene can dilute both the red and black base colors to yield the Palomino, the Cremello, The Buckskin, the Perlino, the Smoky Black …
Horse Coat Color – Dilutions – The Dun And Grulla Gene
This gene can work on both red and black base colors by lightening the base color. It also allows expressing of the primitive markings, most notably …
Horse Coat Features – Mixed Hair Length Coat
On occasion a horse can be seen with patches of hair that are longer or shorter than the rest of the body.
Horse Coat Features – The Curly Hair Coat
The breed Bashkir Curly has a hair that maintains a curl throughout the year. The curl can range from no curl to minimal to full curl but it is uniqu…
Horse Coat Features – The Dapple Hair Color Pattern
Dappling is the description given to any color horse exhibiting circles of a darker color (dark rings) over all of the body.
Horse Coat Patterns – White markings, Pinto, Roan, Leopard Complex And White Horses
Coat patterns are made of white hairs (non-pigmented) that are genetically determined and applied over the modified base coat color. They are categor…