Modern horses are full of unusual colors. The piebald color is especially different from the others and is considered rare. Bright and exotic designs on the body animals attract the attention of horse breeders around the world. Not all people know what color piebald is. Although many people have seen this type of horse in person or in pictures. Piebald horses have a rich history. In addition, there are various classifications of subspecies of this animal species, so they are of high interest among horse lovers.
Description of color
The color of a pinto horse is expressed in bright white spots on the skin . This coloring was first noticed by the Indian tribes of North America. Later, these horses spread throughout the planet and today are found in every country.
The spots are characterized by irregular shape and large size. The arrangement of pezhins can be symmetrical or chaotic. Often these spots are so large that they blend in with the main color of the suit. It seems as if the horse's main color is white. Pejins can be present on the mane, tail and legs of the animal. White spots are considered a sign of albinism. Spotted horses usually have blue or multi-colored eyes. This feature does not prevent animals from seeing clearly and arouses great interest from horse breeders.
Many experts do not consider spotting on the body of horses to be a pattern. They are inclined to the theory of pigmentation disorders. It was this distinctive feature of spotted coloring that became the impetus for breeding the horse breed. Now these beauties inhabit almost every corner of the planet.
Gallery: piebald horses (25 photos)
History of the Pinto Horse
Scientists believe that the piebald color appeared in ancient times. Historical documents from Ancient Egypt prove the existence of spotted animals already at that time. Horse breeders in China and Mongolia paid a lot of attention to breeding this breed. But Europeans did not appreciate the beauty of piebald mares, to which they gave the name “gypsy horses.” The color of the animals was then called “cow” because they resembled spotted cows. These horses performed only hard physical work - draft labor. Therefore, no one was involved in breeding horses for racing.
In America, they reacted positively . The conquistadors brought a new breed, which diluted the wild herds. The Indians believed that the piebald horse was an assistant and a talisman of good luck for the rider in battle. The pinto horse is considered a symbol of the Wild West. Over time, there have been many more lovers of the spotted breed.
At first, there were few subspecies of piebald color, so horse breeders decided to create other variations by crossing piebalds with horses of other shades. Later, spotted horses were called “pinto” or “paint”. Later, horse breeders developed the American paint horse breed, which was based on American quarter horses and riding horses. The pinto horse quickly gained popularity on the American continent.
Historians still cannot understand how the piebald color appeared. So far, experts agree that the reason for the appearance of such a pattern is a genetic anomaly that leads to pigmentation disorders and is inherited. Many believe that the widespread distribution of spotted horses was facilitated by inbreeding with Mongolian species. In factory breeds, such a color is rarely obtained, and outbred working horses can be full of spotted colors.
Savras suit in breeds
The presence of Savras color can be traced in many ancient horse breeds, such as Soraya, Bashkir, Vyatka. This characteristic is often found among Fjord horses. This color is also observed in wild mustangs. Breeds where there are no manifestations of the Savras color are such as Arabian and Trakehner horses.
Savras fjords
Very strong, unusually hardy, but compared to other species, not very powerful horses. They were bred in western Norway. Experts suggest that this is one of the most ancient breeds. Various shades of wool, savras color, of these beautiful animals. Their main feature is that they combine a kind and peaceful character, along with extraordinary endurance. Residents of Norway have been using the power of these horses for agricultural purposes for several centuries.
Norwegian fjord
About Przewalski's horse
Today, this brown color of horses can be found only in a few nature reserves and zoos, and is also listed in the Red Book. The presented species has a family connection with tarpans and large Asian donkeys.
This breed was discovered by Nikolai Przhevalsky, who in 1879 saw a herd of wild horses. They lived far from human settlements, and no one knew about their proximity. The Przewalski horse has a body with well-developed muscles, a large head and a general similarity in appearance to a donkey. The erect mane and lack of bangs are features that distinguish them from domestic specimens. There is also a dark stripe on the back; the belly is a lighter shade than the rest of the body.
In the frosty winter, they become overgrown with thick hair, which disappears by spring, after molting. They are very hardy and can easily tolerate frost and bad weather conditions. At the head of the herd is a stallion leader who protects his mares from danger and enemies, and also points them to a place where they can find food. In the process of people spreading across the steppes, the geography of residence of these horses sharply decreased; they were simply forced out of their usual places. Kazakhstan is actively involved in the project today, which will help revive these horses
Savrasy color in Przewalski's horse
Savras color in Bashkir horses
In Bashkiria, Tatarstan and Kalmykia, this breed is found in sufficient quantities and is local. It has ancient roots, during the crossing of forest horses with Asian steppe horses.
Modern horses are descendants of the Tarpans, which, in turn, were destroyed long ago. According to one version, a very close relationship can be traced between the Bashkir horse and the tarpans, hence this “wild” Savras color.
Herd life in the wild, feeding on pasture, unpretentiousness in maintenance, these are the distinctive features of Bashkir horses. During frosts, animals are covered with thick hair, which allows them to withstand severe frosts. The food is grass left over from the fall, which they find under a layer of snow. Specially built pens with hay help provide shelter from strong winds and snow. In the fields, the mares are constantly under the supervision of a stallion, who does not allow any stranger to approach the herd, only his groom.
Bashkir horses are very capricious and a little wild. This breed is used for harness work and for riding. A very interesting fact is that there are no known cases of the hair of these horses causing allergic reactions in humans. The milk of Bashkir mares is used to make delicious kumiss.
Colors of piebald horses
The color variations of piebald horses include all shades of existing horse colors. Light spots are characterized by smooth and “ragged” edges. They may be present in small numbers or cover most of the body, including the tail and mane.
The Russian classification identifies the following colors of piebald horses:
- Raven-piebald. A beautiful pattern is based on the contrast of white spots with the main dark color. There are few white markings.
- Bay piebald. The main bay color is diluted with pezhins. A light shade is present on the mane, tail and limbs. Sometimes the mane is thinned out with red or black areas.
- Red and piebald. On the main red coloration there are white spots, distinguished by an indistinct shape. The mane and legs are often light colored.
- Grey-piebald. The mane is usually decorated in gray and white tones. The limbs are characterized by a light shade. The number and size of pezhins may vary. Sometimes there are individuals whose body is painted white with small areas of gray color.
The gray-piebald variation is considered a rare species. The most common are the first three varieties of spotted horses.
Common Misconceptions
Beginners who are just getting acquainted with the world of horses often have incorrect information about piebald beauties. The unusual color has given rise to many rumors and misconceptions:
- Many people think that light eyes are characteristic only of the overo suit. A blue or gray tint is found in all species of spotted animals. The tone of the iris does not affect the horse's vision in any way. Some people are sensitive to sun color, but eye shade does not play any role here. Sometimes the eyes are surrounded by white fur, making them even paler.
- Some people mistakenly believe that the white tint appears in the overo in spots, and in the tobiano - in the main color. In fact, the main color is always represented by the dark color of the known colors, and the white tone appears only in the spots, which can be present in such large quantities that the horse appears to be white with dark areas.
- Some say that the white spots on the spotted mare's body are shaded. This may seem like it from afar, but upon closer inspection the idea is refuted. This effect can occur if light spots are located on the dark skin of the animal. Truly shaded pezhins may be present in isolated individuals.
Dominant genes
The birth of a pure white foal that does not turn cream over time is extremely rare. Therefore, geneticists give a negative answer to the question of whether white horses exist, and explain this color as a spontaneous mutation of the White gene, which is responsible for the white color of the coat, mane and tail, pink skin color and dark eye color.
It is easier to get an isabella color from a foal. He must become a carrier of the dominant Cream gene, which is responsible for the cream color of the coat. When participating in the selection of purebred horses, the likelihood of producing almost white offspring increases. The Extension and Agouti genes are also responsible for the formation of this light pigment. Depending on the type of gene (dominant or recessive), they can give a different horse color.
You can determine whether a horse is a carrier of the Isabella color by performing a DNA test. This is how geneticists determine whether a gene is dominant. In the future, they predict its impact on the gene pool of the offspring of a given animal.
Health problems
For several decades now, experts have been studying the characteristics of the genes of piebald horses. Many theories have not been confirmed, so it is impossible to say with certainty what color the next foal will be born. Sometimes parents of colored colors give birth to a monochrome cub. If he also has spots on his body, this does not mean that he will be a copy of one of his parents. True, this fact is of little concern to breeders, who try to ensure that white foals prone to quick death after their birth do not appear among the Overo individuals. Piebald horse lovers treat their pets responsibly and carefully select pairs for breeding.
The piebald breed has a complex inheritance system, which has different levels of expression and influence of genes.
The weak link is the frame-overo color, since when crossing its representatives, there is a 26% chance that the cub will be born with gastrointestinal problems. The problems are usually associated with an underdeveloped colon . This result is caused by the Fr gene, which provokes the formation of a lethal outcome. To discover a gene hidden in horses, they undergo DNA testing.
Among the popular genetic diseases of the piebald breed, epitheliogenesis and periodic paralysis should be noted.
Piebald horses are distinguished by their peculiar originality. Their colors are reminiscent of abstract paintings by artists. With asymmetrical patterns, the bodies of spotted horses look picturesque and unique. It was not for nothing that the ancient Indian tribes considered these animals special. In modern films about this people you can often see pinto horses used, so spotted animals are often associated with Indians. Horses of different colors with white markings always attract the attention of spectators not only in circuses, but also in competition stadiums.
Temper and behavior
The pinto stallion is famous for its submissive and calm disposition. In America they use it for exhibitions, and in Russia they help people with housework in every possible way. Even a child can ride a well-trained horse.
Bay piebald gelding
Many horse breeders are still concerned about the health of piebalds. They cannot boast of good health; a large number of their diseases are already at the genetic level. The weakest representatives are the frame and overo lines (we will discuss them further). If both parents belong to this type, as a rule, the offspring have underdeveloped organs of the digestive tract, mainly the intestines. This often leads to the death of the foal. The pathology develops due to the presence of the FR gene in both parents.
Isabella horse
Important! Breeders must strictly ensure that the FR gene is present exclusively in one parent.
