Chestnut Base Horse Coat Color

Basic Chestnut

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 Chestnut Facts

• Chestnut horses have no black hairs, they have a red coat and red points
• Chestnut and sorrel are interchangable terms and the same genetically
• Colors range from dark reddish brown, to deep red to light red
• Mane and tail can achieve a sunstreaked look making it lighter than the body hairs
• Mane and tail can be almost black all the way to blonde and flaxen

Different Chestnut Shades

There is a rainbow of reds in the chestnut family, but most fall under one of three main categories.

• Darkest red color
• Can be very dark, however hair will retain a red color
• Common in the morgan breed
• Can be confused with silver dapple

• Lighter red hairs
• Mane and tail can be very light in color
• Most common shade of chestnut

• Very pale red
• Mane and tail can be very light in color

Chestnut Dilutions

A chestnut base can produce the following colors when diluted.

Chestnut Modifications

A chestnut base can produce the following colors when modified.

White Patterns

Chestnut horses can display the following white patterns.