What Color is my Equine???
Oh, the numerous colors the equine has with specified names for each color. It can be overwhelming knowing colors, patterns, and markings on an equine, but it makes that particular equine identifiable (kind of like our fingerprints). It all circles to the genetics of the equine when they are bred.
Why do I need to know the detailed color of the equine?
It may be a brown horse but if the horse is getting registered, then they like to know the color(s) (some have restrictions of colors/markings when registering). Registering an equine is a horse that has written documentation of the pedigree, whereas a grade equine has not papered. The major difference between the two is the resell value, registered equine sells for a lot more than a grade equine.
What are some equine colors?
The basic colors of an equine coat include; chestnut (reddish), bay (brownish), and black. As my professor would say "the 50 shades of brown" was not an exaggeration. The three main colors (chestnut, bay, and black) have many upon many different pigmentations of the colors (or shades of color). The pigmentations can be darker or diluted such as a liver chestnut or a perlino from a bay (in other terms the equine can be on the darker or lighter spectrum with a description. For example, liver chestnut is darker than a chestnut). Oh, the joys of genetics!
What else is a color pattern on an equine?
Patterns, or better known as markings, are genes within the equine passed down from generations can deletion of a color. For example, paints are more than one color. Take a tobiano (White crosses over the dorsal or spine of the equine. Often the tail has more than one color showing) for instance, it is an inversion of the equine's chromosomes evolving from generation to generation showing the different colors presented on the equine. Markings on an equine tend to be 'white' on another color giving individual uniqueness in identifying an equine.
Is there more information on this topic?
There are many tests, with genetics and the breeding of equine, finding new information every day. Most case studies present the genetics of the parents that pasts to the offspring and how the pigmentations evolved including the color, pattern, and markings of the equine.
There is a great deal of information to check out about genetics or the colors of the equine. Thank you for joining the Equidae Family today and don't forget to check us out on social media for more fun facts about equine and equine businesses!