Equine coat color genetics
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Equine coat color genetics determine a horse's coat color. Many colors are possible, but all variations are produced by changes in only a few genes. Bay is the most common color of horse, followed by
Before domestication, horses are thought to have had these coat colors.
The flat, earthy tone of the coat and vivid dorsal stripe are indicative of the D allele. Primitive markings are seldom visible on horses without the dominant, wildtype dun allele (D).
Kamsin 0028
Friesian Sporthorsestallion
Black horse
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Black is a hair coat color of horses in which the entire hair coat is black. It is not uncommon to mistake dark chestnuts or bays for black.
Black Irish Draught horse
Black horse (top) with sun bleached mane compared against dark bay or seal brown horse (bottom) with reddish hairs around the eye.
As seen in this photo, black foals are often born a "mousy" color that sheds off as they get older
This black Shetland Pony foal was born very dark and will likely gray like its mother