In horse breeding the color of coat, mane and tail of an animal is of considerable importance. Among the basic varieties there is a chestnut color, i.e. red-brown, bay, i.e. brown, and black. In addition, there is a number of varieties of basic colors that are lightened or silvered. There are also complex, multi-colored coats distinguished. In this case, the shapes and colors of spots on the head, legs and body of the animal are of great importance. Interestingly, breeders do not distinguish a gray color because the gray coat color is the result of a genetic defect. Horses with a defective gene are born as properly colored animals, but until the age of 10 their hair changes color completely. Gray borders around the eyes of a foal are the signs of the defect.
