The (To) gene acts on the base coat forming large, well-defined white patches across the body and legs. Many cases also inherit blue eyes. This coat is based on Black.
Typical Genetic Formula
E/_ a/a To/n
Possible Genotype Variations
E/e a/a To/n
E/e a/a To/To
E/E a/a To/n
E/E a/a To/To
The Genetic Basis
For a horse to be born Paint 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.
- The Tobiano patches that characterize the Paint Horse were inherited from at least one parent.
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Paint 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.
- To/ (Tobiano): Vertical white patches crossing the back.
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