4th Edition
This edition first published 2017
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Edition History
3e: © 2009 Wiley-Blackwell
2e: © 2003 Iowa State University Press
1e: © 1996 Iowa State University Press
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The right of D. Phillip Sponenberg and Rebecca Bellone to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with law.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Sponenberg, D. Phillip (Dan Phillip), 1953- author. | Bellone, Rebecca, author.
Title: Equine color genetics / D. Phillip Sponenberg, Rebecca Bellone.
Description: 4th edition. | Hoboken, NJ, USA : John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017004476 (print) | LCCN 2017005384 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119130581 (hardback) | ISBN 9781119130604 (Adobe PDF) | ISBN 9781119130611 (ePub)
Subjects: LCSH: Horses–Color. | Horses–Breeding. | Horses–Genetics. | MESH: Equidae–genetics | Pigmentation–genetics
Classification: LCC SF279 .S665 2017 (ebook) | LCC SF279 (print) | NLM SF 279| DDC 636.1/0821–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017005384
Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: Courtesy of Francesca Gorizia Gianino
The Best Colour
Tradition, they say
Can teach us a lot,
So here is what horsemen
On colour have thought.
A bay is hardy
A chestnut is fast
And you can't kill a buckskin
He'll just last and last.
A gray is gentle,
A sorrel is hot,
A dun is a horse
You'll be happy you bought.
“White eyes” are flighty,
White feet may crack,
While some won't rely on
The feet of a black.
Some pintos are lucky,
Like the Medicine Hats,
But all horsemen agree –
The best colour is fat.
Marjorie C. Lacy
This is the fourth edition of a guide to equine color identification and genetics. The first edition was published in 1996, the second in 2003, and a third in 2009. Each one built on advances in knowledge of equine coat color genetics, which have been accelerating at an ever more rapid pace. The understanding of many genetic mechanisms at work in horses and donkeys has greatly increased since the third edition. So too has the understanding of the biochemical and molecular processes underpinning pigment cell biology in many mammalian species. These advances have produced a much more complete explanation of horse color, and have sparked more extensive coverage in this edition. To make this knowledge available to those who will want to apply it in breeding horses, the explanation of important molecular processes as well as the terms frequently used in genetic studies has been expanded. In most instances the increased knowledge has simplified the understanding of horse colors, in other cases it has pointed to areas where further investigation is needed in order to make sense of various colors and patterns.
Many of the photographs have been updated, with the goal of providing better examples of various colors, shades, and patterns. Several photographs of odd combinations have also been located, and those have added to the completeness of the visual documentation. Many other figures have been included to more adequately illustrate some of the notoriously complicated concepts. Francesca Gianino deserves our special thanks for sharing her talent, creativity, and time in crafting these illustrations.
This work is the result of fruitful collaborations over many years, and bears the imprint of all those wonderful professional and personal relationships that have enriched our lives over the years. The generosity of the community that is interested in the details of horse color is remarkable, and is especially on display in many of the photographs that were offered as illustrations for the various details in the text. These are acknowledged in Table 13.8, where the details of the horse, breed, owner, and photographer for each photograph are indicated. In addition, special thanks go to Sheila Archer, Bianca Waud, Tosso Leeb, and Lesli Kathman for fascinating discussions and insights, all of which have improved our clarity in describing their important work. This, in turn, has greatly added to this book. Many other breeders, scientists, and other colleagues have likewise contributed various insights and details.
We have attempted to make this book complete and accurate. Any omissions or errors are entirely our own, and we hope the reader enjoys our efforts to explain the intricacies of horse color.
The authors dedicate this book to two scientists whose work and input shaped their own careers. Decades ago, Stefan Aðalsteinsson encouraged and provided key insights to Phil Sponenberg, both on color genetics and breed conservation. His keen insights, humor, and encyclopedic knowledge of animal breeds and genetics were always inspirational. Dr Teri Lear had a similar influence for Rebecca Bellone. Teri was an avid horse lover and an exceptional equine cytogeneticist whose work signficantly contibuted to our understanding of equid chromosomes. Her love for both horses and people made the field of horse genetics a rich and deep experience, beyond the mere science that is so important. Both of these giants contributed to the field of genetics, to our careers, and both are greatly missed.