Creme Dilution Gene

The cream dilution gene affects base colors by lightening them, a single dilution of the gene produces colors like palomino and buckskin. While a double dilution creates the light skinned cremello and smokey cream colors often mistaken for greys.

Basic Creme Gene

• Incomplete dominant gene
• Does not noticeably affect black pigment
• Dark red colors lighten to tan or yellow
• Makes chestnut and bay base coats lighter
• Bay becomes buckskin
• Chestnut become palomino

Single Dilute Creme Shades

A single creme gene can affect black, chestnut and bay animals, however it is generally more obvious on lighter colors.

• Caused by one dose of cream gene diluting chestnut base

• Shades range from very light to very dark
• Light shades can appear almost white
• Darkest shades mistaken for silver dapple
• Born light and grow darker with age
• Eyes can be a light amber in color

• Often incorrectly interchanged with dun
• Dun and Buckskin are different genetically
• Caused by one dose of cream gene diluting bay horse

• Range from very light to very dark
• Purest form will have black points
• Dark points fade with age

Double Dilute Creme Shades

Two creme genes affect all colors much more dramatically & can even make black animals almost white.

• Caused by a double dose of cream gene on chestnut base
• Always have pink skin and blue eyes

• Often mistaken for albino horses, although the albino gene does not exist in the equine species
• Vary from almost white to a dark cream in color

• Created by a single dose of the creme gene on a black base
• Has a slight affect on pigment

• Created by a double dose of cream gene on black base
• A double dose has a much stronger affect on a black animals

• Created by a double does of cream gene on a bay horse
• Points are darker than body hair
• Blue eyes and pink skin

Mixed Dilutions

Animals can carry more than one dilution gene, furthering the creative rainbow of colors & patterns.