Pony colors are mutations of genes. The original color of horses is bay dun and all other colors have mutated from that color. Many colors come from ancient and prehistoric mutations. Other colors come from mutations that have occurred in the last 100 years or even more recent. Chincoteague Ponies have not been found to have any unique color mutations. All current Chincoteague Pony colors are the same as are found in other breeds. It's possible there could be a color unique to Chincoteagues but none have discovered so far.
Ponies are all one of three base colors: chestnut, bay, or black. Those three colors are then diluted or modified to create the rainbow of pony colors. White markings then go over the body color. Explore the variety of Chincoteague Pony colors on the pages found in the menu.
Phenotype is the color of a pony that we see when we look at it.
Genotype is the genetic makeup of a pony.
Many times we can figure out the genotype of a pony by looking at its phenotype and those of its offspring. In other cases genetic testing is required to figure out a pony's genetic makeup. Learn about testing on the Color Testing page. Many things can't be tested for yet.
Genotype is the genetic makeup of a pony.
Many times we can figure out the genotype of a pony by looking at its phenotype and those of its offspring. In other cases genetic testing is required to figure out a pony's genetic makeup. Learn about testing on the Color Testing page. Many things can't be tested for yet.
Colors have certain characteristics that helps us visually identify them. Learn about these characteristics on the pages listed on the left hand side. Looking at many pictures of ponies of a certain color or pinto pattern will help learn to recognize these characteristics by sight.
A good way to understand the combination that makes up pony's color is to use a simple math problem.
Base Color+Dilution+Modifier+White Pattern=Pony's Color
Some ponies will only have the base color, others will add a dilution or a modifier, and then others may have a white pattern.
Base Color+Dilution+Modifier+White Pattern=Pony's Color
Some ponies will only have the base color, others will add a dilution or a modifier, and then others may have a white pattern.
A pony can have one or two genetic copies of a color or a pinto pattern.
Heterozygous: A pony with one copy of a color/pattern. Passes it on to offspring 50% of the time.
Homozygous: A pony with two copies of a color/pattern. Passes it on to offspring 100% of the time.
Heterozygous: A pony with one copy of a color/pattern. Passes it on to offspring 50% of the time.
Homozygous: A pony with two copies of a color/pattern. Passes it on to offspring 100% of the time.
Colors and patterns are divided into categories on how they are inherited.
Dominant: Can have one or two copies of a color/pattern to be visually seen. It's either there or it's not. It cannot "skip generations".
Recessive: Can be carried visually unseen on a pony. Can be detected via genetic test even when unseen. Can appear to "skip generations". Must have two copies in order to be visually seen.
Incomplete Dominant: A color/pattern that looks different when there's one copy (heterozygous) of the color vs when there's two copies (homozygous).
Dominant: Can have one or two copies of a color/pattern to be visually seen. It's either there or it's not. It cannot "skip generations".
Recessive: Can be carried visually unseen on a pony. Can be detected via genetic test even when unseen. Can appear to "skip generations". Must have two copies in order to be visually seen.
Incomplete Dominant: A color/pattern that looks different when there's one copy (heterozygous) of the color vs when there's two copies (homozygous).