Five to Start: Horse Identification

This coat color is the result of a single cream gene dilution on a bay base

• Bay Dun

• Grullo

• Buckskin

• Cremello

Answer explanation

Buckskin falls under the dilution category of coat colors and is a result of a single cream gene dilution on a bay base.

Which of the following images show a stocking leg marking?

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Answer explanation

A stocking is a white leg marking that extends above the midpoint of the cannon. It may stop at the bottom of the knee or hock or go above it.

Primitive markings, such as a dorsal stripe, frosting on the mane and tail, and zebra-like stripes above the knees and hocks are associated with which group of coat colors?

• Dun Coat Colors

• Base Coat Colors

• Grey Coat Colors

• Spotted Coat Colors

Answer explanation

Primitive markings, such as those shown on the left, are associated with the dun coat colors (red dun, bay dun, and black dun/grullo).

It is believed that these markings, paired with the lighter body coat, provided camouflage to horses in the wild.

Which of the following illustrations show a snip facial marking?

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Answer explanation

A snip is described as a patch of white on the nose.

This coat color, a type of modifier, will lighten as the horse ages and carries a higher risk of melanomas, a type of skin disease that results in tumors internally or externally.

Answer explanation

A gray horse shows a mixture of white and black hairs on black skin. An often desired coat color, it will gradually lighten as the horse ages.

Additionally, gray horses carry a higher risk of melanomas, a type of skin disease that causes tumors internally or externally. Roughly 80% of gray horses over the age of 15 will have had at least one melanoma.