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Silver

It is generally said that silver on affects bays and black, and not red bases. I been thinking and this is only partially true! Silver really on affects the color black. Think about it, silver only dilutes the black points on bays whereas the bay color appears unaffected. The black mane, black tail, black legs, and black ear rims are the only affected pigments. Has anybody ever realized this or am I totally off my rocker? ETA: I now understand better so I take back my post. ;)

Monsterpony Thu, 02/19/2009 - 17:17

I am not really sure what you are saying. Yes, silver only affects the expression of eumelanin (black) pigment. Since bays express eumelanin, they do show silver. It does not affect the pheomelanin of bay horses therefore no change is made to the red body color.

TwinCreeksFarm Thu, 02/19/2009 - 17:35

I guess what I'm saying is I never really knew that! I knew silver affected bays and blacks, because of being told that. I never really realized or researched the "why". Or maybe I knew that silver affects black pigment only and assumed that "black pigment" meant black base. It just never really registered.
Therefore I sounded like a big idiot and that's probably the reason why you didn't understand my question. :mrgreen:

thorwood Fri, 03/20/2009 - 05:09

Except that in the case of my colt who is EE Zz (tested), there isn't much in the way of dilution.
His mum is the same colour, but a bit more dappled & has a very silver mane & tail.
He had quite a bit of silver in his mane & tail as a bub, but it is pretty much gone now, he is a yearling

[attachment=0]DSC_2565.jpg[/attachment]

Songcatcher Fri, 03/20/2009 - 07:10

[quote="thorwood"]Except that in the case of my colt who is EE Zz (tested), there isn't much in the way of dilution.
His mum is the same colour, but a bit more dappled & has a very silver mane & tail.
He had quite a bit of silver in his mane & tail as a bub, but it is pretty much gone now, he is a yearling

[attachment=0]DSC_2565.jpg[/attachment][/quote]
Wow! Would have never guessed that horse was Silver.

Fledgesflight Fri, 03/20/2009 - 15:53

When I first learnt of Silver, the description I read said that the Silver in the mane and tail could eventually darken and visually disappear over time. Looks like it certainly can! He's a beautiful colt regardless.

dakotakdq Fri, 03/20/2009 - 16:11

wow he doesnt look silver!! hes sooo pretty thou!! :love