Table of Contents
Preface v
1 Introduction to Horse Color 1
What Is Horse Color? 1
Color Terms 2
Classification of Colors 2
A Very Basic Introduction to Genetics 4
2 Horse Colors 11
Base Colors 11
Black 11
Bay 12
Seal Brown 12
Chestnut 13
Inheritance of Base Colors 14
Diluted Colors 17
Colors Determined by Cream Dilution 17
Colors Determined by the Dun Gene 22
Colors Determined by the Silver Gene 27
Colors Determined by the Champagne Gene 32
Colors Determined by the Pearl Gene 36
New Dilation Genes? 38
Flaxen Chestnut 39
Colors Determined by Admixture of White Hair 39
Gray 40
Roan 43
Spotted Patterns: Characteristics and Types 45
Tobiano 46
Sabino 47
Frame Overo 49
Splashed White 50
Manchado 52
Macchiato 53
Other Colors Related to Spotting 53
Calico Tobiano 53
Crypt Overo 54
Tovero 54
Appaloosa-Spotted 55
Types of Appaloosa-Spotted Patterns 55
Dominant White 62
Additional Color Phenomena 67
Shades of Colors 67
Countershading 69
Pangaré 72
Brindle 72
Robicano 74
"Catch A Bird" Phenomenon 75
Giraffe Markings 76
Frosty 77
False Dun 77
Metallic Sheen 78
Other Horse Color Factors and Considerations 80
Change of Color 80
Lavender Foal Syndrome 84
Chimerism and Mosaicism 85
3 Markings 89
White Markings on the Head and Legs 89
Non-Standard Markings 94
Markings of Other Colors 95
4 Hair Features 99
General Features 99
Curly Hair 100
Hairlessness 102
Pigment Distribution Features 102
5 The Evolution of Horse Color 107
6 Influence of Color on Performance, Fertility, and Character 115
Regional Beliefs 115
Is There Research to Support Such Beliefs? 116
Bibliography 120
Index 131
