THE BASICS
The Basics
Possible Color Genotypes/Black & Black-to Grey
Possible Color Genotypes/Bay & Bay-to-Grey
Possible Color Genotypes/Chestnut & Chestnut-to-Bay
Glossary of Terms Conclusion Return to HOME
The four Arabian colors depend upon three allele/gene pairs. Genes appear in sets of two, one from each parent. (An allele is the individual gene "option" for a trait received from one parent.) For our purposes here, discussing coat colors, they are the silvering/ Greying alleles (G or g), the Agouti alleles (A or a), and the Extension/red factor alleles (E or e). Dominant genes are espressed by capital letters (G, A, E); recessive genes are expressed by lower case letters (g, a, e).
Each offspring receives one allele per color pair from each parent to make-up the allele/gene pairs. If a dominant allele is present, it will be visible in the color of the horse's coat and mane/tail. Recessive genes are masked, or hidden, if a dominant allele is present. Without some kind of "test", it cannot be known as to whether the other allele in that pair is also dominant or if it is recessive. If two dominant alleles or two recessive alleles are present for a trait, then the horse is said to be homozygous for that trait. If one dominant allele and one recessive allele are present for a trait, then the horse is said to be heterozygous for that trait.
ALL COLORS will have black skin except for the possible pink skin under white markings--marked in a special place on the registration application for markings of greys.
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Special Note: Let us and emphasize here that the color genotype has absolutely NO influence whatsoever on the horse's conformation or personality. It is, however, useful in determining what coat color possiblities can be passed on to its foals
The Basics
Possible Color Genotypes/Black & Black-to-Grey
Possible Color Genotypes/Bay & Bay-to-Grey