Learn Equine Color Genetics
Dilutions In Horses
Dilutions in horses "dilute" the base color of the horse making the horse appear lighter in color. Some, as with homozygous cream, can make the horse appear very nearly white. Some dilutions affect black pigment, other affect red and some affect both red and black pigment. A horse can carry and express more than one dilution and at times it can be difficult to distinguish different dilutions with similar expressions. The dilutions in horses are Cream, Dun, Champagne, Pearl and Silver
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Donkey Color Genetics
Donkey color genetics are not yet well understood, but are being researched more as breeding donkeys becomes more popular Also, with donkeys, "points" re
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Modifiers in Horses
Modifiers change the appearance of the horse coat color. They are similar to dilutions but have different effects.
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White Patterns in Horses
Horses can have a great variety of white patterns. All of the following white patterns can occur on any color horse, with any combination of dilutions, modifiers, and other white patterns. For example, it is completely possible to have a tobiano/sabino/splash/roan/palomino. However, while it is possible, not all horse breeds carry all white patterns and dilutions, and possible does not equate to a likely outcome. All white patterns can also be present in minimal and maximal forms. Minimal can be very minimal indeed (think white spot on the bottom of a hoof for frame), and maximum expression can be almost completely white, especially when more than one pattern is present.
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Pictorial Guide to Horse Colors Part 1
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Beginning Horse Color Genetics
All mammals produce two types of pigment, and horses are no exception. Eumelanin is black pigment and pheomelanin is red/yellow pigment. These two pigments work together to provide the basis of all horse colors. They are controlled by two genes, Extension (MCR1) and Agouti (ASIP).
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