horse colors

Horse Colors

Horses come in a variety of colors.

Below are basic color and marking information.

Many of the colors have variations. such as light, dark, or in between.

This page will just focus on the basics.

We've included pictures as well.

For a more thorough explanation of horse colors

we recommend you get a book, because horse coloring is very complex.

Note: The pictures below are for reference only.
They've been collected from other websites and horse classified ads simply to show colors.

Colors:

Black:

Just as the name states. Black everywhere.

This is Hedzer, Panda's man.

Bay:

Brown or reddish body.
Black mane, tail, legs, and muzzle.

Brown:

A black horse that has brown on the muzzle,
flank and belly.

Grey:

White hair and black skin.
They are born one color and turn grey
with age. Eventually they turn white.

Most white horses are usually grey
although they appear white.

The famous Lippizaner's from austria and
"Shadowfax" from the Lord of the Rings are
considered grey.

Color-Grey.gif (82660 bytes)

Dun:

Similar to Bay. Dark mane, tail, leg, muzzle.
They often have a dorsal stripe down the back and
"stripes" on the shoulders, and legs.

Chestnut:

Red orange to dark brown color.
Entire body is one color and mane may be
a little darker or lighter.

Sorrel:

A chestnut horse with light color mane,
tail, legs and belly.

Buckskin:

Yellow colored body with black mane,
tail, and legs.

Roan:

White hair mixed with the normal coat color.
The legs and face usually retain the normal color.

Grulla:

A "black version" of Dun.
They are usually blueish gray to brownish gray
in color.
They have a dark mane, tail, legs, and muzzle.

White:

White horses have pink skin over the entire body.
They also have normal colored eyes.
True white horses are extremely rare.

However, there are many horses that appear white.
These "lighter horses" usually have blue eyes.
Cremello and Perlino can both appear to be white.

Pinto, if it has has so much white it's other color is lost,
could also be called white.

Markings:

Pinto:

Big white "spots" on the body.

Pinto has three variations:
Tobiano, Overo and Sabino.

Pinto - Tobiano:

White coming downward
from the top of the back.
Legs are white but face is normal color.

Pinto - Overo:

White "across" the body, but not on the back.

Pinto - Sabino:

Belly and face are "splashed" in white.

What is Paint?

A paint is actually a breed of horse. It is Pinto based in color.

Paint horses which don't have Pinto markings are called "breeding stock."

Paint horses are usually from Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse lines.