Coat Colour
White Markings and their Genetic Background
Across the animal kingdom, white markings are thought to be associated with domestication. They are typical for domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, pigs, cows, and horses, in contrast to their wild counterparts. White markings are caused by the absence of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in certain body areas, resulting in white hair.
Leopard Complex and Eye Health Issues
The leopard complex is a group of white spotting patterns, including the leopard, few-spot leopard, snowcap blanket, lace blanket, spotted blanket, varnish roan, snowflake, and frosted, speckled, and mottled patterns.
Basics of Equine Colour Genetics
One of the first things everyone notices about a horse is its colour. Sometimes it’s pretty clear what colour a horse is, while at other times it sparks a full-on discussion — often about foals and young horses — regarding their actual colour. However, genetics can give you a straightforward answer. To some extent — while the main genetic mechanisms are known, some colour variants and their interactions still require clarification.
Genetic Aspects of Cancer in Horses
The three most common cancers in horses are sarcoids, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. All of these are suspected - or even confirmed - to be hereditary cancer syndromes.