Golden cream coat with black mane, tail and legs, resulting from a single cream gene dilution over the bay base.
Typical Genetic Formula
E/_ A/_ Cr/n
Possible Genotype Variations
E/E A/A Cr/n
E/E A/a Cr/n
E/e A/A Cr/n
E/e A/a Cr/n
The Genetic Basis
For a horse to be born Buckskin, it must receive the following combination from its parents:
- Its ability to express or produce black pigment indicates it received the dominant E allele from at least one parent.
- Its diluted color (golden/cream) results from different genes meeting: it received the dilution gene (Cr) from only one parent.
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Buckskin has a specific combination of alleles. Below, we explain each genetic component that forms this coat:
- A/ (Agouti): The Agouti gene, when active (with E present), restricts black pigment to the extremities. Carried with no visual effect in e/e animals.
- Cr/n (Cream): Single dilution of the Cream gene. Lightens red tones to golden.
