🧪 Dilutions Dilution Genes Dilution genes lighten or alter the base coat color. Cream (CR) Cream is an incomplete dominant dilution. One copy creates a single dilute, while two copies create a double dilute. Single Cream Base Result Chestnut Palomino Bay Buckskin Black Smoky Black Double Cream Base Result Chestnut Cremello Bay Perlino Black Smoky Cream Palomino Variations Standard Palomino Dappled Palomino Light Palomino Buckskin Variations Standard Buckskin Golden Buckskin Dark Buckskin Light Buckskin Dun (D) Dun lightens the body while leaving primitive markings visible. Primitive markings include dorsal stripes and leg "zebra stripes" Base Result Chestnut Red Dun Bay Bay Dun Black Grulla Primitive Markings A horse may display primitive markings without being fully dun. The Dun locus has three possible alleles: Allele Effect D Dun dilution + primitive markings nd1 Primitive markings only nd2 No dilution and no primitive markings Dominance order: D > nd1 > nd2 This means Dun overrides both nd1 and nd2, while nd1 overrides nd2. Non-Dun 1 (nd1) Non-Dun 1 is incredibly interesting because it is basically a "partial remnant" of the original Dun gene. Horses with nd1 are not diluted , but they may still display primitive markings. Genotypes Genotype Result nd1/nd1 Primitive markings possible nd1/nd2 Primitive markings possible Traits: Dorsal stripe Leg barring However, the body color remains undiluted. Non-Dun 2 (nd2) Non-Dun 2 is what most modern horses carry. Genotype Genotype Result nd2/nd2 Normal coat color These horses: Are not diluted Do not naturally display primitive markings Cannot pass Dun unless bred to a horse carrying D Champagne (CH) Champagne dilutes both red and black pigment while creating lighter eyes and mottled skin. Base Result Chestnut Gold Champagne Bay Amber Champagne Black Classic Champagne