Color Genetics in Horses

Essay # 51392

Agricultural Studies
Biology
Biology > Genetics

An essay that explores the genetics of equine coloring.

2,648 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2003 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an explanation of the genetics involved in breeding a certain color horse. Colors covered include black, chestnut, Mealy/Pangare, the dilutes, mixed patterns and the white patterns. The paper includes many photographs.

From the Paper:

"The Classic Roan gene affects all the bases, modifiers and dilutes but can be masked by other white pattern genes. Roan is a color pattern caused by white hairs mixing with colored hairs. There are no "Roan" hairs on a Roan horse. The resulting physical colors are usually blue or rose (black base and chestnut base) but less common colors are pale gold and almost white. The Roan gene however will usually not affect the points."