Sooty Palomino

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Palomino Horses: Uncovering the Sooty Gene

What is a Sooty Palomino?

Palomino horses are renowned for their stunning golden coats and white manes and tails. However, some palominos exhibit a unique characteristic known as the "sooty gene," which affects their coat color and overall appearance.

Darker and Ashier Hues

The sooty gene introduces additional dark pigments into the horse's coat, resulting in a darker and ashier shade of gold. This ashy hue is particularly noticeable in areas such as the mane, tail, and extremities.

Variations in Coat Color

The presence of the sooty gene can significantly impact the color of a palomino's coat. The palest palomino shade, often described as dark cream, can evolve into a rich chocolate palomino when the sooty gene is expressed.

Rarity and Genetics

Solid-colored chocolate palominos are relatively rare, but chestnut horses with pronounced sooty markings are more common.

The sooty gene is an inherited trait, and horses that carry it will typically have dark hairs in their mane and tail. Additionally, they often exhibit dappling throughout their coats.

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