Tonight’s Virtual Education Recap: Horse Colors & Patterns!

Kim Williams
Oct 29
2 min read

Tonight in our Virtual Education Class, we dove into one of the most fascinating and fun topics in the horse world — coat colors and patterns! From bold pintos to glowing palominos, we explored how horses come in a stunning variety of shades and markings, each with its own history, genetics, and charm.

Understanding Horse Colors & Patterns — The Basics

Horses may come in hundreds of color variations, but every coat begins with two base colors:

Black
Red/Chestnut

All other colors — buckskin, palomino, bay, roan, gray, and more — are created by genes that dilute, modify, or pattern those two bases. Here are a few key terms we covered:

Solid Colors: Bay, black, chestnut, palomino, buckskin, gray
Patterns: Pinto/paint, appaloosa, roan, dun, brindle (rare!), and more
Markings: Stars, blazes, stockings, snips — those white markings that make each horse unique!

We also discussed how some patterns (like appaloosa) are linked to specific breeds, while others can appear in many breeds depending on genetics.

Fun Fact of the Night

A single gene can decide whether a horse turns gray over time! Many foals born dark-colored — even black — will lighten year after year, eventually becoming white or silver-gray adults. That’s why sometimes the “black horse” you fall in love with as a baby grows up to be a beautiful silvery cloud!

Next Week: Meet the American Cream Draft!

Get excited — next week we’ll learn about the American Cream Draft, the only draft breed developed in the United States. With their champagne-gold coats and gentle spirits, they are truly a national treasure!

Join Us Every Thursday for Virtual Education!

Learn, Grow, and Connect

Our Virtual Education Classes happen every Thursday at 7:00 PM Central Time, and they're open to horse lovers of all levels — from first-time riders to seasoned equestrians.

What You’ll Learn

Each week, we explore topics like:

Horse breeds & their histories
Riding disciplines
Tack & equipment
Horse care & grooming basics
Safety & first aid
…and so much more!

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Free for members! If you're a Texas Equine (TEEH) member, you get access to all virtual classes at no cost.

Expand Your Equine Knowledge

Whether you're dreaming of working in the horse industry or simply want to care for your own horse with confidence, our weekly classes are designed to support and inspire you.

Every Thursday — 7 PM Central

We’ll see you there!