Horse Genetics

Height

In general height will be somewhere around the average height of the two parents in question, though height gains beyond average of the two parents are possible up to around .2 hands per generation.

Performance Statistics

There are several factors that play into performance statistics.

• Starting ability in a given performance metric will be determined by taking a portion of the parents combined average ability in a metric. Generally a foal will retain around 30% of the genetic ability of the parents at a basal level, meaning a foal from two well trained parents will require less training to get to peak performance.

• Performance potential (meaning performance CAP for that foal) is determined again primarily by the genetics of the parents, but may fall slightly higher, or slightly lower than the average of the parents.

M1CR

This is the ‘Extension Factor’ and is one of the two determining factors in base coat color. It can be possible in three versions, two of which are recessive, one being dominant.

ASIP

Known as the ‘Agouti’ gene, it controls distribution of black pigment. Dominant of this gene will restrict black to tail, mane, lower legs and ear rims.

MATP

This gene is responsible for cream coloration. This can result in Palomino, Buckskin, Smoky-Black, Black, Cremello, Gray, Perlino, or Apricot depending on a number of factors.

TBX3

This gene is responsible for dun coloration. This can result in Chestnut, Red-Dun, Bay-Dun, Bay Grullo or Black depending on a number of factors.

SLC36A1

This gene is responsible for champagne coloration. This can result in Chestnut, Gold-Champagne, or Classic-Champagne depending on a number of factors.

PMEL

This gene is responsible for silver coloration. This can result in Bay, Black, Silver-Dapple-Bay or Silver-Dapple-Black depending on a number of factors.

MFSD12

This gene is responsible for mushroom coloration. This can result in Chestnut or Mushroom Chestnut depending on a number of factors.

STX17

This gene is responsible for grey coloration. It can result in Flea-Bitten-Grey, Dapple-Grey, Bloodmark Grey or Rose Grey depending on a number of factors.

EDNRB

This gene is responsible for overo coloration, and can potentially lead to lethal white overo syndrome. It can result in Black, Chestnut, Frame-Overo-Black or Frame-Overo-Chestnut depending on a number of factors.

KITTO

This gene is responsible for multiple possible color variations, primarily Tobiano and can result in Chestnut, Black, Tobiano-Chestnut or Tobiano-Black depending on a number of factors.

CD117

This gene is responsible for Sobiano color, and can result in potentially white coloring depending on a number of factors.

KITRN

This gene is primarily responsible for Roan coloration and can result in Bay, Black, Chestnut, Bay-Roan, Blue-Roan or Red-Roan depending on a number of factors.

TRPM1

This gene is responsible for leopard spotting and can result in Snowflake-Bay, Varnish-Roan, Leopard-Bay, Solid-Black or Blanket-Chestnut depending on a number of factors.

MITF

This gene is responsible for macchiato coloration and can result in Bay, Black, Chestnut, Macchiato-Bay, Macchiato-Black or Macchiato-Chestnut depending on a number of factors.

PAX3

This gene is responsible primarily for splashed white coloration and can result in Bay, Black, Chestnut, Splashed-White-Bay, Splashed-White-Black or Splashed-White-Chestnut depending on a number of factors.