The (G) gene acts on the base coat promoting progressive lightening throughout the horse's life until reaching very pale or completely white tones. This coat is based on Smoky Black.
Typical Genetic Formula
E/_ a/a Cr/n G/n
Possible Genotype Variations
E/e a/a Cr/n G/n
E/e a/a Cr/n G/G
E/E a/a Cr/n G/n
E/E a/a Cr/n G/G
The Genetic Basis
For a horse to be born Gray 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.
- Gray does not skip generations. For this animal to be Gray, the sire or dam had to be Gray to provide the (Rn).
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Gray 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.
- G/ (Grey): Progressive graying. Epistatic — covers all other colors.
Want simulations with Gray Smoky Black?
Use our simulator to discover the possibilities.
Simulate Crossings