Base Horse Coat Colors - Black
Basic Black
There are two basic coat colors in the equine animal, either black base or chestnut base.
All horse colors are built on a black or a chestnut base and different colors are achieved by dilution genes and color modifiers to provide the wide variety of colors and patterns in existence today.
A Few Black Facts
- The black gene occurs in most breeds
- Black horses have no brown or red hairs
- They have a black coat and black points
- The only white is in markings on face and legs
- Black horses do better in cold climates
- Dark hair absorbs heat from the sun making hot weather work difficult
Different Black Shades
Although there aren’t different shades of black there are two types
Non-fading black
- Their coat never fades from sun, weather or work.
- They are born black and remain black throughout their life
- Can be a smokey or blue black
Fading black
- Coat fades from sun and weather
- Usually born smokey or dark bay
- Cannot generally produce bay foal
- Also called ‘Barn Black’ because unless they are kept from the sun they will fade with age.
Black Dilutions
A black base can produce the following colors when diluted
Dun
Grullo or Grulla (male - female)
Cream
Silver
Silver Dapple or Chocolate Silver
Champagne
Black Modifications
A black base can produce the following colors when modified
Roan
Black breeds
Friesian horses
Bred specifically for their blue black color.
If you thought this article was interesting, you might want to learn about the chestnut base coat also.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Paige,
I have shown your site to some of my horse friends (as you know what I do for a living) and the comments were all terrific. Basically, they all agreed “what a great site you have going” and I agree. May your success always meet your dreams!
Linda Shier
Linda Shier Photography
March 5th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Thanks Linda,
I can’t wait to get your pictures up there too.
Thanks for passing the site around and everyone feel free to leave feedback. I’m always looking for ways to make the site more user friendly.
Paige
July 30th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
i have a mare who is a grey with blackmane and tail her sire was black and breed her to a black stallion the foal was born black no white anywhere will the foal stay black he has a few hairs in his ears that are brownish will he stay black grand sire black and sire black mare going grey but still has a lot of black in her coat and mane help
July 30th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Hi Kim,
It is hard to say of the foal will remain black, a few white hairs could just mean a white marking. Although if the ears are brown you might have yourself a fading black horse.
Color genetics is not an exact science and sometimes is down to the luck of the draw. As you know just because a foal is black doesn’t mean it will remain that color throughout it’s life. Good luck.