Gray: Modifier or Pattern?

Little Red Dun · 01-08-2007, 09:58 AM

Since we were having a color discussion, this is something I was curious about. Is gray considered a modifier or a pattern?

In my mind (which may be completely wrong

) a pattern is basically white hairs "covering" the base color directly, such as tobiano, sabino, roan, etc.

To me, a modifier "changes" the way the base color looks, like agouti, cream, champagne, etc.

So I suppose gray could be either. It does make the base color "change" but it is also just "covering" it up, like a pattern does.

So, which one is technically correct?

Blistering Winds · 01-08-2007, 09:59 AM

Gray is a modifyer.

PERIOD

Because it "TRUMPS" all base colors.

And eventually, takes over

PATTERNS do not modify the actual base color, but "adds design" to it.

3WishesDun · 01-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Grey is a modifying gene. It just happens to be progressivly modifying.

Blistering Winds · 01-08-2007, 10:01 AM

Color Modifiers

Color Modifiers are genes that modify a body color, a mane and tail color or both. These modifiers can range from very subtle to very extreme. Some Modifiers even have the ability to change the physical look of a horse to something totally different. The following are the currently known modifiers:

- Bay
- Grey
- Flaxen
- Sooty/Smutty
- Mealy/Pangare'

Equine Color - Horse & Pony Color Genetics Information

Little Red Dun · 01-08-2007, 10:07 AM

Oh, nice site. I'll have to add that to my favorites. Thank you!

JBandRio · 01-08-2007, 11:58 AM

Creme and dun and champagne and others are modifiers. They modify the base color.

Gray is a masking gene, totally masking the underlying color.

cassidy · 01-08-2007, 12:01 PM

i dont think i will ever get this my brain is in a right whorl

i swear you guys have these threads just to confuse me

Little Red Dun · 01-08-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Gray is a masking gene, totally masking the underlying color.

So...gray is in a case by itself? I can't think of anything other masking genes.

Top Dun · 01-08-2007, 01:43 PM

modifier. it changes the way the base coat looks even if it is really fast or really gradually.

Blistering Winds · 01-08-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Red Dun

So...gray is in a case by itself? I can't think of anything other masking genes.

yeah, in a way you could say that.

But genetics people are still calling it a modifyer. However, a very STRONG one.

For example. Creme is a modifyer

take the creme on a red (sorrel), you get a "yellow" horse (palomino)

Take the Creme on a Bay and you get a Buckskin

it modifies the base coat pattern.

Gray is one it modifies down to "gray" no matter WHAT the base color is. be it Red or Black based....the horse eventually turns almost WHITE by old age.

01-08-2007, 09:58 AM	#1
Little Red Dun Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: the Sunshine State, USA Posts: 1,406 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 2	Gray: Modifier or Pattern? Since we were having a color discussion, this is something I was curious about. Is gray considered a modifier or a pattern? In my mind (which may be completely wrong ) a pattern is basically white hairs "covering" the base color directly, such as tobiano, sabino, roan, etc. To me, a modifier "changes" the way the base color looks, like agouti, cream, champagne, etc. So I suppose gray could be either. It does make the base color "change" but it is also just "covering" it up, like a pattern does. So, which one is technically correct? __________________ Amanda VP of the Player Fan Club ....horses should be trained in such a way that they not only love their riders, but look forward to the time they are with them. ~ Xenophon, 350 B.C.

01-08-2007, 09:59 AM	#2
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,979 Images: 831 Blog Entries: 17	Gray is a modifyer. PERIOD Because it "TRUMPS" all base colors. And eventually, takes over PATTERNS do not modify the actual base color, but "adds design" to it. __________________ HGS is a very powerful, addicting place that is just as bad as cigarettes, however healthier for you AND your horse.

01-08-2007, 10:00 AM	#3
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 16,881 Images: 655 Blog Entries: 27	Grey is a modifying gene. It just happens to be progressivly modifying. __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost I've Been Snowballed!

01-08-2007, 10:01 AM	#4
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,979 Images: 831 Blog Entries: 17	Color Modifiers Color Modifiers are genes that modify a body color, a mane and tail color or both. These modifiers can range from very subtle to very extreme. Some Modifiers even have the ability to change the physical look of a horse to something totally different. The following are the currently known modifiers: Bay Grey Flaxen Sooty/Smutty Mealy/Pangare' Equine Color - Horse & Pony Color Genetics Information __________________ HGS is a very powerful, addicting place that is just as bad as cigarettes, however healthier for you AND your horse.

01-08-2007, 10:07 AM	#5
Little Red Dun Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: the Sunshine State, USA Posts: 1,406 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 2	Oh, nice site. I'll have to add that to my favorites. Thank you! __________________ Amanda VP of the Player Fan Club ....horses should be trained in such a way that they not only love their riders, but look forward to the time they are with them. ~ Xenophon, 350 B.C.

01-08-2007, 11:58 AM	#6
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,470 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 12	Creme and dun and champagne and others are modifiers. They modify the base color. Gray is a masking gene, totally masking the underlying color. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

01-08-2007, 12:01 PM	#7
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,573 Images: 820	i dont think i will ever get this my brain is in a right whorl i swear you guys have these threads just to confuse me __________________ May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

01-08-2007, 01:43 PM	#9
Top Dun Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,702 Images: 183 Blog Entries: 1	modifier. it changes the way the base coat looks even if it is really fast or really gradually. __________________ Cattle Producers DO NOT want NAIS: When asked if they thought NAIS should be a mandatory system requiring all U.S. cattle producers to participate, 21.22% of respondents said yes, 50.32% said no, and 28.46% were undecided.

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