Identification Smoky black

a sun-bleached smoky black icelandic horse, has superficial appearance of dark bay. correctly identifying smoky black calls knowing genetic background of individual animal.

smoky black foals must have @ least 1 parent cream dilute gene , @ least 1 parent carries e extension gene associated black coloring. occur 1 of 2 ways: foal have smoky black parent or buckskin parent carrying both genes within single horse. smoky black produced breeding 1 horse cream dilution, such palomino, bay or black horse carrying extension gene, no cream dilution. foals, smoky blacks typically quite silvery, , may mistaken grullos, when born primitive countershading. smoky black foals born reddish tufts of hair in ears. however, both traits seen in many true black foals well.

while superficially resembles other coat colors, experienced horse persons detect off coat of adult smoky black. darkest shades among smoky blacks indistinguishable true black burnished chalked sun bleaching. palest can mistaken dull bays or liver chestnuts, if exposed elements. smoky black coats tend react sun , sweat, , many smoky blacks turn chocolate color particularly reddish manes , tails. bleaching due elements means legs retain color better, , can take on appearance of having dark points bay horse. smoky blacks, however, lack rich red tones in coat, instead favoring chocolate , orange tones.

one way visually identify smoky blacks eyes, may amber @ adulthood. however, difficult distinguish amber-brown eye ordinary dark brown eye unless there other horses available direct comparison.