colors and patterns of the horse

5 basic colors

black, brown, bay, chestnut, white

4 modifications of basic colors

gray, roan, dilutions, pinto-paint

characteristics of a bay

reddish brown, tan, or dark brown body with black at the points.

characteristics of a chestnut

red based coat all over, can have white lower legs

characteristics of a roan

even mixture of white and colored hair across the body, while head and points stay dark

what do dilutions do

decrease intensity of red pigment, does not affect black

2 basic pigments

black base (dominant color) and red base (recessive color)

Extension gene

determines if the horse is black (EE/Ee) or red (ee)

Agouti gene

controls where black pigment appears on horses body. (AA/Aa) the black is restricted to points only and (aa) black covers body

can a red horse carry the agouti gene

yes it just wont be expressed because the horse lacks black pigment

cream color modifier

lightens red pigment, does not affect black pigment

dun color modifier

lightens red pigment on body while leaving the points undiluted. has a mandatory dorsal stripe

silver color modifier

dilutes black pigment on body to dark cream or light chocolate, very rare. turns mane and tail white or silver

champagne color modifier

dilutes both red and black pigment

gray color modifier

turn any base color gray by adding white hairs throughout its lifetime

tabiano

dark color covers flanks, 4 white legs, regular distinct spots, and tail is often 2 colors.

overo

white does not cross back, at least 1 leg is dadrk, white is irregular, tail usually one color, often bald faced.

tovero

cross of overo and tobiano. one or both eyes blue, chest spots varying in sizes, dark hair around ears and mouth

piebald

paint horse that is back and white

skewbald

paint horse that is any other color and white

star marking

white spot on forehead

stripe/strip

narrow patch on face running from forehead to muzzle

snip

white spot on muzzle

blaze

wider white patch that covers width of nasal bones

bald face

white on front extending over sides of face

apron faced

bald that extends down around muzzle

bonnet

face/head white with color on ears

chin spot

marking on chin

coronet leg markings

white covering coronet

pastern leg markings

white from coronet to pastern

ankle/fetlock leg markings

white from coronet to fetlock

sock/half stocking leg markings

white from coronet to middle of cannon

stocking/full stocking

white from coronet to knee

white marks/spots leg markings

white at the front of the coronet or heel

distal spots leg markings

dark spots on white coronet

flaxen

straw yellow or off white mane and tail. is a mix of dark and white hairs

broom/bang tail

heavy, coars, full tail

rat tail

hair is fairly sparse