Grey gene

[Lori Blake]

The grey gene (G) is a dominant modifier gene that causes the coat to become grey as the horse ages. Foals are born with the base color indicated by their genotype, but grey hairs take the place of the base color. Some horses are totally grey by 1 year, others take until 3 to grey out. Grey horses may be born any color. Usually, horses are a darker grey when they first grey out, then lighten as they get older. However, some become a light grey much earlier. Grey horses may have manes and tails that are the same, lighter, or darker than their bodies.



GREY HORSE PHOTOS

TH Shadowlands
Grey (born bay) National Show Horse stallions owned by Serenity Sporthorses
ColorCode-EeAaGg

Shadow was born a dark bay, but was grey by the time he was 2. He is now a medium grey, but will probably get lighter as he gets older.




Teflon Soul
Grey Thoroughbred Mare owend by Serenity Sporthorses
ColorCode-EeAaGg

Teffie has the same ColorCode as Shadow, but displays the small circles of grey known as dapple grey.



Farfur Bint Nasr
Grey (born Chestnut) Egyptian Arabian mare owned by Glen Raven Arabians
ColorCode eeaaGG

Farfur displays the very light grey color common to Egyptian Arabians. Although many grey horses reach this light color when they are elderly, Farfur is only 3. Both of her parents were very light grey as well.