Equine Color Genetics

by D. Phillip Sponenberg

Equine Color Genetics 2e is a complete discussion of horse and donkey colors, including details of their genetic control and their identification. The book explains how to accurately identify horses and donkeys by using colors. It furthers an understanding of the genetic basis of color and contributes to research on specific behavioral characteristics associated with color. The author includes all known color variations of horses throughout the world. The book provides an explanation of genetic mechanisms that determine colors and discusses colors in sequence from less common to more common. Donkey color is addressed in a separate section. This uncomplicated and useful approach to understanding horse and donkey color patterns, as well as the various subtleties that exist, includes more than 100 striking color photographs accompanied by descriptions of both common and unique coat patterns. With new chapters concerning breeds and conservation and on the basic biology of gene selection, as well as new appendices detailing previously undocumented genes in horses and donkeys, this second edition of Equine Color Genetics will appeal to anyone who is a student of the horse. Breeders, veterinarians, faculty and veterinary students and equine science students will find this book a valuable addition to their libraries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Horses

Hardcover

First published January 15, 1996

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very complete discourse on the study, facts, and function of equine coat color genetics. Not for very beginner geneticists, but if you have some idea of how horse colors work this is the next book you should read. It explains the 7 layers of horse colors, how each "switch" works, how different layers interact with each other, and at the end of the book has several colored pages of horse pictures in various colors, with their phenotype and genotype.

Any horse color enthusiast should read this book. I very highly recommend it.