HORSE COLOR EXPLORED
Over 150 Breeds,
Types, and Variations
Vera Kurskaya
TRANSLATED BY
DR. MICHAL PROCHAZKA
First published in 2017 by
Trafalgar Square Books
North Pomfret, Vermont 05053
Copyright © 2017 Vera Kurskaya
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for a review in a magazine, newspaper, or website.
Disclaimer of Liability
The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. While the book is as accurate as the author can make it, there may be errors, omissions, and inaccuracies.
Trafalgar Square Books encourages the use of approved safety helmets in all equestrian sports and activities.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Kurskaya: Vera, author.
Title: Horse color explored: over 150 breeds, types, and variations / Vera Kurskaya; translated by Michal Prochazka, PhD.
Other titles: 880-01 Масти лошадей. English
Description: North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Books, 2016. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016024680 (print) | LCCN 2016040655 (ebook) ISBN 9781570767319 (pb) | ISBN 9781570768101 (kindle) | ISBN 9781570768118 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Horses—Color. | Horses—Genetics.
Classification: LCC SF279.K87 2016 (print) | LCC SF279 (ebook) | DDC 636.1/0821—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016024680
COVER PHOTOS:
Front (left side, from top to bottom): Natal Clasi, a Brazilian Warmblood owned by Vivian Hill, Stonybrook Far, photo by Vivan Hill; Painted Patchen, a Thoroughbred bred by Patchen Wilkes Farm LLC, photo by KS Veitch Photography; Twilight Reemarkable, owned by Lisa Estridge, Palisades Appaloosas (www.palisadesapps.com), photo by Lisa Estridge; Zippos Millenium Bug, an American Quarter Horse owned by Heidi Trimber, photo courtesy of Carolyn Shepard; California Champagne, an American Paint Horse owned by Michele Jorgenson, photo by Carolyn Shepard
Front (main): Photo courtesy of Yeguada Paco Marti
Back: Left top photo of PKR Primavera Brio, a Morgan owned by John Hutcheson, Gab Creek Farm (www.gabcreekfarm.com), photo by Laura Behning (www.brookridgemorgans.com); middle top photo by Olga Yeremeeva; right top photo of Aktepel, an Akhal-Teke owned by Amrita Eldine Ibold, Sweet Water Farm Akhal-Teke (www.akhalteke.cc), photo by Amrita Eldine Ibold; author photo by Polina Lurye
Cover design by RM Didier
Book design by Brian P. Graphic Arts | www.brianpgraphics.com
Typefaces: Body set in ITC Franklin Gothic and ITC Slimbach
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
1: Introduction to Horse Color
What Is Horse Color?
A Very Basic Introduction to Genetics
Base Colors
Colors Determined by Cream Dilution
Colors Determined by the Dun Gene
Colors Determined by the Silver Gene
Colors Determined by the Champagne Gene
Colors Determined by the Pearl Gene
Colors Determined by Admixture of White Hair
Spotted Patterns: Characteristics and Types
Other Colors Related to Spotting