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 Smoky Black.
Typical Genetic Formula
E/_ a/a Cr/n D/n
Possible Genotype Variations
E/e a/a Cr/n D/n
E/e a/a Cr/n D/D
E/E a/a Cr/n D/n
E/E a/a Cr/n D/D
The Genetic Basis
For a horse to be born Dun Smoky Black, 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.
- To be visually black, it needed to inherit the absence of Agouti (a) from both sire and dam.
- Its diluted color (golden/cream) results from different genes meeting: it received the dilution gene (Cr) from only one parent.
- The dark dorsal stripe and primitive markings came from at least one parent (D).
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Dun Smoky Black has a specific combination of alleles. Below, we explain each genetic component that forms this coat:
- a/a (Non-Agouti): Allows black to spread over the entire body when combined with E. In e/e animals it is invisible but still passed on.
- Cr/n (Cream): Single dilution of the Cream gene. Lightens red tones to golden.
- D/ (Dun): Adds primitive markings (dorsal stripe) and may slightly lighten the base color.
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