Cream coat with slightly reddish tones in the mane and tail, caused by double dilution of the cream gene over the bay base.
Typical Genetic Formula
E/_ A/_ Cr/Cr
Possible Genotype Variations
E/E A/A Cr/Cr
E/E A/a Cr/Cr
E/e A/A Cr/Cr
E/e A/a Cr/Cr
The Genetic Basis
For a horse to be born Perlino, 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 blue eyes and pink skin (Double Cream) reveal that both parents were diluted and each passed their Cream gene on.
Understanding the Alleles
The horse Perlino 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/Cr (Double Cream): Intense dilution. Pink skin and light eyes such as blue.
