1. Base coats
The three main base coats are chestnut, bay, and black. They primarily depend on the production of black pigment and how it is distributed throughout the coat.
Guide to equine coat colors
Discover how the different horse coat colors are produced. Learn to distinguish a base coat, a genetic dilution, a white spotting pattern, or a leopard complex pattern, then explore the breeds that can display each appearance.
A horse’s coat color is its visible colored appearance: the color of its body hair, mane and tail, skin pigmentation, eye color, and any white areas, spots, or intermingled hairs. It is the observable result, not a single genetic mechanism.
The final appearance generally results from a base coat affected by one or more dilution, white spotting, or modifier genes. Two horses that look similar may therefore carry different genetic combinations.
The three main base coats are chestnut, bay, and black. They primarily depend on the production of black pigment and how it is distributed throughout the coat.
The Cream, Dun, Champagne, Silver, and Pearl genes lighten or alter certain pigments. Their effect varies according to the base coat and, for some genes, the number of inherited copies.
Tobiano, frame overo, sabino, and splashed white produce unpigmented white areas. They are white spotting patterns, not dilutions.
The leopard complex, gray, roan, mealy coloring, flaxen mane and tail, and the sooty effect alter the coat’s appearance through distinct mechanisms.
Example: chestnut base + one copy of the Cream gene = palomino coat.
Chestnut, bay, and black are the three main genetic base coats. Dilutions, white patterns, progressive lightening, and other modifiers can then alter or overlay this underlying color.
A tan to brown body with a black mane, black tail, and black lower legs.
View all horse breeds with the bay coat
Why is the Kabardian considered one of the world's finest mountain horses? Discover its history, temperament, conformation, and uses.
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Discover the Einsiedeln horse, a Swiss breed from the monastery stud, valued for its robustness, versatility, and centuries-old history.
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The Barb, a 3,000-year-old North African breed, shaped the Andalusian, Lusitano and Mustang. Hero of Maghreb fantasias, only 2,500 purebreds remain worldwide.
View breed ›A coat composed of entirely black body hairs, mane, and tail, with dark skin.
View all horse breeds with the black coat
The Nokota is a rare American horse from the wild herds of North Dakota. Discover its unique history, roan coats, and hardy temperament.
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The Døle, Norway's national horse from the Gudbrandsdal valley, comes in two types: heavy draft and harness racer. Every Døle Trotter traces its bloodlines to one stallion — Odin, imported in 1834.
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Discover the Latvian Horse, a versatile breed from Latvia, robust and elegant, used for driving, equestrian sports, and agricultural work.
View breed ›A red to reddish-brown coat with a matching, lighter, or darker mane and tail, but no black points.
View all horse breeds with the chestnut / sorrel coat
The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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An emblematic Argentine breed, the Criollo stands out for its endurance, resilience, and deep connection to gaucho traditions.
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An ancient horse breed from Uzbekistan, the Karabair is known for its endurance and versatility. Discover its origins, temperament and traditional uses.
View breed ›The Cream gene modifies the horse’s base coat. The visible result depends on the original color and whether the horse inherits one or two Cream alleles.
A tan to golden coat with a black mane, tail, and lower legs, produced by one cream allele on a bay base.
View all horse breeds with the buckskin coat
The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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Discover the Falabella, one of the smallest horse breeds in the world: docile, elegant, hardy, and native to Argentina. Used in driving and equine therapy.
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Discover the Hispano-Arabian, also known as the Aralusian, a Spanish sport horse from PRE and Arabian bloodlines, valued for doma vaquera, endurance and TREC.
View breed ›A chestnut base with two cream alleles, producing a very pale cream coat and mane, pink skin, and usually blue eyes.
View all horse breeds with the cremello coat
Discover the Colorado Ranger, an American horse known for its versatility, strength, and the refined elegance inherited from its Arabian and Quarter Horse ancestry.
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Discover the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, an American breed renowned for its exceptionally smooth gait, gentle temperament, and versatility.
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Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
View breed ›Golden coat with cream or white mane/tail, dark skin.
View all horse breeds with the palomino coat
Discover the French Saddle Pony, a versatile sport pony prized for show jumping, dressage and eventing.
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Marwari, a saddle horse from India known for its inward-curving ears, endurance, and graceful appearance.
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The Brumby, Australia’s wild horse, sparks debate: heritage or invasive species? Discover its origin and the challenges it represents today.
View breed ›A bay base with two cream alleles, producing a very pale cream coat, sometimes slightly darker or reddish points, pink skin, and usually blue eyes.
View all horse breeds with the perlino coat
Discover the Morgan horse, an American breed renowned for its elegance, strength, and versatility, descended from the legendary stallion Figure.
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Why is the Lusitano so valued in dressage? Elegant and versatile, discover this Portuguese horse and its unique qualities.
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Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
View breed ›Black coat with one cream gene; resembles regular black.
View all horse breeds with the smoky black coat
Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
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Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
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Discover the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, an American breed renowned for its exceptionally smooth gait, gentle temperament, and versatility.
View breed ›A black base with two cream alleles, producing a very pale cream coat, pink skin, and usually blue eyes.
View all horse breeds with the smoky cream coat
Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
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Discover the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, an American breed renowned for its exceptionally smooth gait, gentle temperament, and versatility.
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Discover the Hispano-Arabian, also known as the Aralusian, a Spanish sport horse from PRE and Arabian bloodlines, valued for doma vaquera, endurance and TREC.
View breed ›Dun, Silver, Champagne, and Pearl modify particular pigments in the base coat. Some entries explain an overall dilution mechanism, while others describe a specific visible result.
A tan or yellow coat with dark points, a dorsal stripe, and often primitive markings such as leg barring.
View all horse breeds with the bay dun / yellow dun coat
Is the Karakatchan pony at risk? Discover this ancient Bulgarian mountain breed and its role in conservation efforts.
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Discover the Peruvian Paso, a natural “paso llano” gaited horse famous for its exceptional smoothness, noble temperament, and strong cultural heritage in Peru.
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Discover the Tennessee Walking Horse, an American breed renowned for its smooth gaits, natural elegance, and calm temperament.
View breed ›A dilution producing an often metallic-looking coat, pink skin that develops freckles, and eyes that are usually amber or hazel.
View all horse breeds with the champagne coat
Why is the Morab so popular? This Morgan–Arabian cross offers elegance, endurance and versatility.
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Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
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Discover the Australian Stock Horse, a versatile Australian breed. Size, weight, build, and key traits of this exceptional horse.
View breed ›A recessive dilution that lightens the coat, mane, tail, and skin when inherited in two copies or combined with one cream allele.
View all horse breeds with the pearl coat
The Andalusian horse (PRE) is renowned for its elegance, gentle temperament and expressive gaits. Discover its role in dressage and Spanish riding tradition.
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The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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Why is the Lusitano so valued in dressage? Elegant and versatile, discover this Portuguese horse and its unique qualities.
View breed ›A dilution of black pigment that notably lightens the mane and tail. On a black base, it often produces a chocolate-colored body with silver or flaxen hairs.
View all horse breeds with the silver coat
Discover the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse, an American breed renowned for its exceptionally smooth gait, gentle temperament, and versatility.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
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Why is the Irish Cob so loved? Gentle, hardy and versatile, this horse with abundant feathering is ideal for riding and driving.
View breed ›A bay coat affected by the silver gene, with a lightened mane and tail and points that may appear brown or grayish rather than black.
View all horse breeds with the silver bay coat
The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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Why is the Missouri Fox Trotter so comfortable? Discover this smooth gaited horse, perfect for trail riding and western riding.
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Discover the Rocky Mountain Horse, an American breed renowned for its smooth gait, gentle temperament, and distinctive chocolate-colored coat.
View breed ›These patterns do not dilute the horse’s color. They produce unpigmented white areas that overlay the base coat, whether that underlying coat is diluted or not.
A pattern with irregular white areas on the sides and belly that usually do not cross the topline.
View all horse breeds with the frame overo coat
Discover the North American Curly Horse, a hardy and hypoallergenic breed known for its unique curly coat, intelligence, and gentle temperament.
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The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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Discover the Colorado Ranger, an American horse known for its versatility, strength, and the refined elegance inherited from its Arabian and Quarter Horse ancestry.
View breed ›A general pattern composed of large white and colored areas, with skin that is usually pink beneath the white markings.
View all horse breeds with the pinto coat
Discover the Falabella, one of the smallest horse breeds in the world: docile, elegant, hardy, and native to Argentina. Used in driving and equine therapy.
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The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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The Pottok is a hardy pony from the Basque Country, known for its freedom, strength, and use in trekking and riding schools.
View breed ›A white pattern generally involving high white leg markings, a broad facial marking, and irregularly edged white areas, sometimes accompanied by white hairs mixed into the coat.
View all horse breeds with the sabino coat
Why is the Missouri Fox Trotter so comfortable? Discover this smooth gaited horse, perfect for trail riding and western riding.
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Versatile, athletic and high-performing, the American Warmblood excels in equestrian sports. Discover its origins, temperament and strengths.
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Why is the Irish Cob so loved? Gentle, hardy and versatile, this horse with abundant feathering is ideal for riding and driving.
View breed ›A pattern making the horse appear as though it were dipped in white paint, with extensive white markings on the lower body, legs, and often the face. Blue eyes are common.
View all horse breeds with the splashed white coat
Why is the Irish Cob so loved? Gentle, hardy and versatile, this horse with abundant feathering is ideal for riding and driving.
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The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›A pattern with large, regular white areas that usually cross the topline, often accompanied by white legs.
View all horse breeds with the tobiano coat
Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
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History, conformation, temperament, breeding and performance: discover why the Zangersheide is one of the world's most sought-after sport horses.
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Discover the story of the Cape Horse, a South African breed now extinct, used for work and war during the 17th to 19th centuries.
View breed ›The Leopard complex includes several spotted and progressive coat patterns. It can also be associated with mottled skin, striped hooves, and visible white sclera.
A white area covering part or all of the hindquarters, with or without colored spots inside it.
View all horse breeds with the blanket coat
Originating from the Austrian Alps, the Noriker is a powerful and versatile draft horse. Discover its uses and its calm, gentle temperament.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
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Discover the Icelandic Horse, Iceland’s iconic breed, renowned for its unique gaits (tölt and pace), hardiness, and gentle temperament. Complete information on its origin, traits, and uses.
View breed ›A predominantly white body covered with numerous clearly defined colored spots.
View all horse breeds with the leopard coat
Why is the Appaloosa unique? Discover its spotted coat, temperament, origin and uses in western riding and more.
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Discover the Knabstrup (Knabstrupper), a unique Danish horse breed with a spotted coat: standard, temperament, breeding areas & official association.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›A group of spotted coat patterns associated with the Leopard complex, often accompanied by mottled skin, striped hooves, and visible white sclera.
View all horse breeds with the leopard complex coat
Discover the Knabstrup (Knabstrupper), a unique Danish horse breed with a spotted coat: standard, temperament, breeding areas & official association.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
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Originating from the Austrian Alps, the Noriker is a powerful and versatile draft horse. Discover its uses and its calm, gentle temperament.
View breed ›A dark coat with small white spots scattered across the body, usually more concentrated over the hindquarters.
View all horse breeds with the snowflake coat
Discover the Falabella, one of the smallest horse breeds in the world: docile, elegant, hardy, and native to Argentina. Used in driving and equine therapy.
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Why is the Appaloosa unique? Discover its spotted coat, temperament, origin and uses in western riding and more.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›A progressive mixture of white and colored hairs, with darker areas remaining over bony prominences, the head, and the legs.
View all horse breeds with the varnish roan coat
Originating from the Austrian Alps, the Noriker is a powerful and versatile draft horse. Discover its uses and its calm, gentle temperament.
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Discover the Falabella, one of the smallest horse breeds in the world: docile, elegant, hardy, and native to Argentina. Used in driving and equine therapy.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›Gray and classic roan both involve white hairs, but they develop differently. Gray progressively lightens with age, while classic roan generally retains a more stable mixture of white and colored hairs.
A coat characterized by progressive lightening with age. The horse is born colored and may eventually appear almost completely white while generally retaining dark skin.
View all horse breeds with the gray coat
The Welsh Section B, an elegant and athletic Welsh pony, nearly faced extinction under a 16th-century Tudor law. Gentle and versatile, it is today the favourite pony for children and young riders.
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Discover the Arabian Horse, a legendary breed renowned for its exceptional endurance, distinctive beauty, and influence on modern horse breeds.
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Why is the Canadian horse so special? Strong, versatile and gentle, discover this iconic Quebec breed and its many qualities.
View breed ›A relatively even mixture of white and colored hairs over the body, while the head and lower legs usually remain darker. Unlike gray, the coat does not progressively lighten with age.
View all horse breeds with the roan coat
An emblematic Argentine breed, the Criollo stands out for its endurance, resilience, and deep connection to gaucho traditions.
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Learn all about the Pleven: standards, history, behavior, breeding, and future of this Bulgarian warmblood horse recognized for equestrian sport.
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Why is the Appaloosa unique? Discover its spotted coat, temperament, origin and uses in western riding and more.
View breed ›A white horse has a white coat from birth, generally with pink skin. This phenotype must be distinguished from gray, which develops progressively as the horse ages and usually retains dark skin.
A completely white coat present from birth, generally associated with pink skin. It differs from gray, which lightens progressively with age.
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The Camargue, the "white horse of the sea", is born dark and slowly turns grey. Raised semi-wild in the Rhône delta marshes, it's the legendary mount of the Camargue guardians.
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Why is the Canadian horse so special? Strong, versatile and gentle, discover this iconic Quebec breed and its many qualities.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›These characteristics alter the mane and tail, particular areas of the body, or the intensity of the color without constituting a genetic base coat.
Light-colored mane and tail on a chestnut coat.
View all horse breeds with the flaxen coat
Why is the Missouri Fox Trotter so comfortable? Discover this smooth gaited horse, perfect for trail riding and western riding.
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Discover the Mustang, America’s wild horse, a symbol of freedom and endurance, still roaming across the Western United States.
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Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.
View breed ›A lightening of the coat around the muzzle, eyes, belly, and inner legs.
View all horse breeds with the mealy / pangare coat
Discover the Alter Real, an elegant and powerful Portuguese baroque horse, descendant of the Lusitano, admired in classical dressage and haute école.
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The Ase Català is one of the world's largest donkey breeds. Discover its origin, temperament, history and unique characteristics.
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The Breton, Brittany's iconic draft horse and France's most widespread, still harvests seaweed along the coastline. Sturdy, powerful and gentle, a truly authentic French breed.
View breed ›Dark hairs mixed into the coat, giving a shaded effect on back/flanks.
View all horse breeds with the sooty coat
Originating from the Austrian Alps, the Noriker is a powerful and versatile draft horse. Discover its uses and its calm, gentle temperament.
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Fjord horse, a hardy breed from Norway, known for its strength, calm nature, and distinctive two-tone mane.
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Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.
View breed ›A buckskin coat strongly darkened by interspersed black hairs, producing a brownish, grayish, or shaded appearance.
View all horse breeds with the sooty buckskin coat
Discover Przewalski's Horse, the last surviving wild horse species, a symbol of the Mongolian steppe, rare, robust, and preserved through conservation programs.
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Is the Konik a descendant of the Tarpan? Discover this hardy Polish primitive horse and its role in conservation.
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Fjord horse, a hardy breed from Norway, known for its strength, calm nature, and distinctive two-tone mane.
View breed ›Coat color alone does not fully define a horse: it is only one aspect alongside conformation, markings, origin, and history. To explore further, you can browse the horse breeds , consult the glossary , or explore the full breed inventory .
A coat describes the visible colour or pattern of a horse, while a breed refers to a selected population with its own origin, standard and characteristics.
The main basic horse coat colours are chestnut, bay and black. Other coats result from dilutions, white patterns or modifiers.
A coat color is the horse’s visible appearance. A dilution is a genetic mechanism that lightens or alters the pigments of a base coat. For example, palomino results when one copy of the Cream gene dilutes a chestnut base coat.
No. A grey horse is usually born with a darker coat and gradually lightens with age.
A pinto coat has large white and coloured patches, while appaloosa patterns are linked to the leopard complex and can produce spots, blankets or marbled patterns.
Yes. A gray horse progressively lightens with age. A horse’s appearance may also vary with shedding, season, age, or the expression of certain patterns, even though its genotype does not change.