Silver
Silver turns black mane and tail light grey to almost white, often with dapples in the coat.
What does this colour look like?
On a black or bay base: the body turns chocolate/greyish, mane and tail become silver-grey to flaxen. Often dapples. On chestnut it is invisible.
- Body
- chocolate to greyish (on black/bay)
- Mane and tail
- silver-grey to flaxen
- Legs
- diluted
- Skin
- dark
- Eyes
- brown
How does this colour arise?
Silver lightens only black, not red. Mane and tail become silver.
More about the genetics
Silver is dominant (Z). It dilutes only black/brown pigment, not red; a chestnut with silver just looks like a chestnut. Health note: silver is associated with MCOA (Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies), more severe in Z/Z than N/Z.
What is this colour often confused with?
- Flaxen chestnut
A chestnut with strikingly light, almost blonde mane and tail.
- Chestnut
A chestnut is reddish-brown, with mane and tail the same shade or lighter, never black.
Which breeds show this colour?
Discover more
Sources: UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory · Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell).