The Dun gene acts on the base color, adding the characteristic dark dorsal stripe. In some cases it lightens the body tone and may also produce zebra-like leg markings. This coat is based on Dark Brown.
For a horse to be born Dun Dark Brown, 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.
- The dark dorsal stripe and primitive markings came from at least one parent (D).
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Dun Dark Brown 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.
- D/ (Dun): Adds primitive markings (dorsal stripe) and may slightly lighten the base color.
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