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"Albino" Horses

So I was busy doing research on some horse breeds for my encyclopedia, when I ran across a few paragraphs regarding the Hanoverian horse that was written in 1852. These horses were said to have been imported to Britain to pull the royal carriages since they were so beautiful. As far as color was concerned it was written "Some individuals of it are cream-coloured; some are milk-white; and some are albinoes, with blood-red pupils to their eyes." Now while I'm sure this is incorrect since the author never said that they specifically saw these horses in person, I did think it was interested that three different shades of light color were listed. Other sources from the early to mid 1800s do make mention of horses with red eyes or red pupils, particularly in reference to the light colored Hanoverians. One source did go on to describe the different between wall eyes (white iris and black pupil) and albino eyes (white iris and red pupil.) Another reference mentioned a breed of pony that was "albino" with "red pupils" and were though to be of Hanoverian origin, which was supported by this strange coloration. Since people of this time do seem to know the difference between double-dilute with blue eyes, all white greys with brown eyes, I am curious as to what started them on this kick of white/cream horses with blue eyes and red pupils. I know it's not a camera flash reflecting off the inside of the eye since those were invented until the late 1800s. I'm pretty sure this description probably related to other animals and people just assumed horses were like that, too, and it eventually turned into "my brother's friend's aunt's cousin saw these horses!" Thoughts?

rabbitsfizz Fri, 12/14/2012 - 13:20

Queen Victoria had a load of cream coloured ponies used to pull her various children's carriages and, in later life, her own. She donated some to London Zoo and as far as I know there are still some at Whipsnade (countryside part of London Zoo)I saw these ponies myself- not my Aunt's cousins sister! They had normal Cream eyes- ie blue eye red centre, and I think this is where the problem starts!
The Hanoverians were a different colour as they turned up from normal coloured parents and did not dilute the base colours (ie breed them to Chestnut you did not normally get Palomino) The stud was sold off....not sure when, not all that long after it was started....and the horses dispersed. I do not think the colour turns up in present day Hanoverians. There is a Stubbs painting of a Cream Pony pulling Lady ?? in a park phaeton, with groom. The pony has dark eyes- but it is unlikely that Stubbs would have given it blue eyes even if it had had them as it would have detracted from the main subject of the painting.

MitashiaR Mon, 12/31/2012 - 15:23

There's a mini at the stables that is a Cremello, and her pupils kinda reflect in a creepyish red. I have a picture, if you would like a look?

rabbitsfizz Tue, 01/08/2013 - 14:16

The Hanoverians that were Cream were called "The Windsor Greys" and still are, although now the horses actually are Grey.....