Colors in Equines

There are a number of sites dedicated to showing the colors of horses, but the US model collector (or equine breeder) should be aware that a number have inaccuracies.  Most of this stems from difference in terms from Europe to the US.  The best books on color are by Phil Sponenberg - Horse Color, and Equine Color Genetics.  The latter has a section on Donkey color, although some of that information has now been updated.  A color packet (with genetic information, and color copies of donkey photos as illustrations) is also available from ADMS.  Most equine color terms are universal, but each breed may have specialized usage.  We cannot cover every shade, genetic factoring, or description here, but we will touch on those that are the most misunderstood, and where they differ specifically in donkeys and mules.

This is a GRAY horse.  The GRAY horse is born dark, and whitens (lightens) with age, over a period of 10 years or so.

This horse is also GRAY.

What are the HORSE colors? There are 2 pigments that make up color.  Thes 2 pigments, red and black, are then modified in a number of different ways to make up all the different coat colors.  They can be combined, lightened, darkened, mixed with white (which is non-pigmented) in a number of patterns. Reading the color genetics books is the best way to understand the colors, but we'll give you some visuals and some BASICS. (Remember, all of this is oversimplified!) Chestnut/sorrel Palomino Cremello Bay Buckskin perlino Black Brown Grulla Dun Gray White Roan Pinto/Paint Sabino Appaloosa Markings More Mule colors Donkey colors Zebra Stripe Patterns

A lovely aged Connemara pony stallion (Fleabitten gray) at the HARAS des Saintes, FRANCE.

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