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Colour or Pattern?

I have a yearling filly that I always thought was palomino. She was born pale but you could see her star (only white marking) her eyes were greyish.  She turned the grey colour around the eyes and muzzle and backside after about a week.  Her eyes are now very dark brown. A month ago she started to "change".  Her 'eyeliner' started to turn pink, her muzzle has gone pale and mottled and her private parts are pink and mottled.  When I washed her yesterday she has pink skin all over with no white patches.  Her dam is a solid chestnut paint and has overo in her parentage. Her sire is a palomino QH. I am at a loss as to what colour (or pattern) she is. She looks like a champagne but the eyes are dark so I'm not sure.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Daylene Alford Mon, 12/15/2014 - 10:29

She can only be Palomino if her sire is palomino.  I suspect she will end up with mottled skin like the last horse in this comparison image.  http://colorgenetics.info/equine/galler…   

And your correct in that her eyes are to dark for Champagne however, she is interesting.  I would be interested in seeing pedigree information, a full body shot of her and one of her sire if you have them.  Just to rule out anything else that might be going on besides cream.   

Liane Mon, 12/15/2014 - 16:14

Here is a full body shot of her.

Her dam wasn't registered but her grand dam was paint number 6306 MURRINJIS KODACHROME and her grand sire 6491 Just Unbelievable (Australia).

Her sire is Q-40434 Slims Rising Star.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the sire but I do remember he had that lovely golden sheen to his coat.  I may be able to get more info if required.

Daylene Alford Tue, 12/16/2014 - 08:02

If she were mine I would test her for silver.  It's a long shot, but given that your in Australia and she is unregistered, it could explain the pinkish skin.  I have seen horses with silver and cream have such pinkish skin before.  Just keep in mind that it's still unlikely and could very well be one of those things we just can't explain yet.  

Her skin will likely darken as she ages.  

Liane Fri, 01/23/2015 - 22:23

In reply to by Daylene Alford

I've had this filly tested for all patterns as she looks like an Appaloosa and I was sure she would come back positive for Appaloosa. (There was an Appy stallion at the stud my mare went to). All pattern tests came back negative. Someone else suggested Vitiligo???? The only gray areas now are on her face.

Liane Sun, 01/25/2015 - 17:57

I had her tested for the whole panel of patterns at Animal Genetics and she came back negative for all. (lp/lp).

Daylene Alford Mon, 01/26/2015 - 15:36

Yes, that is Leopard Complex.  Vitiligo is as good an explanation as anything at this point.   

It is more common in grays but it can occur in other colors.  The below photo does look very similar to your girl.  

[img]http://colorgenetics.info/sites/default…]

You might want to read through this thread  http://colorgenetics.info/paper-vitiligo  According to that study it is caused by an autoimmune disorder.