I’m making my way through the colors section and giving it new information and updated images. Today I’ve finally gotten through the solid colors and next week we’ll move on to the white patterns.
Dilutions
There are a bunch of dilution genes which affect the two base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and white patterns. Today I want to share a little about the light black dilution is loosely termed as such as it’s a collection of animals that test as genetically black, but aren’t.
Light Black Dilution
As genetic testing becomes more common, new dilutions are discovered and equine genetics from all over the world come together, there are a growing number of questions about horse color. The light black coloring may not be just one dilution and may not be a dilution at all. There are several color combinations that test to be genetically black with no dilution and still aren’t actually black.
Light Black Types
There are really three different unexplained color combinations that could be called light black. Each one looks a little different, but at this moment I’m not sure any of them are (or aren’t) genetically linked.
Actual Light Black – These animals have a black coat that has been uniformly lightened to brown all over (not to be confused with seal brown which is caused by the Agouti gene). They can be born with pinkish skin and blue eyes that turn golden as they age.
Brown Black – The body coloring of these animals ranges from red to yellow, but their mane, tail and points are always black.
Seasonal Black –
Seasonal black animals grow a pure black coat every season, but within a few months it fades to a ruddy brown, red or light brown. Not to be confused with fading-black animals whose coat grows burned or faded with age and sun exposure. This coloration is least likely to be genetically connected to the above two.
I’m currently on the hunt for images of animals carrying the light black dilution. I’ll gladly give credit and link to anyone who has images I can use in my colors section.
Learn More About Color
Be sure to visit the new and improved color section for more information about light black horses and stay tuned, next week we’ll move on from the dilution genes to the white patterns and take a look at the roan white pattern.