The
silver gene is a unique gene that only dilutes black
pigment. It is also called the " Z " gene or
silver dapple. The term silver dapple can be misleading
because not all horses carrying the gene are silver in color or
have dapples.
The silver gene is dominant. When present it dilutes the
black pigmentation on the body and points of the horse.
The dilution can vary greatly within a breed and quite
differently from breed to breed. The body color can range
from a light silver in color to a dark chocolate brown color.
The silver gene also dilutes the points of the horse.
These points can also vary greatly from a very light flaxen
looking mane and tail to a mane and tail that are the same color
as the horse's body color.
The gene was originally thought to be in just the Rocky Mountain
Horses, the American Shetland and the Miniature Horse
breeds. However, in 2002 it was discovered in the Morgan
and Quarter Horse breed and recently in the Paint Horse.
It has also been found to be in Saddlebred
and Gypsy horses.
For more information and
photos of silver dilution,
click the photo below:
Silver Dilution
& Champs Guthrie
Champs Guthrie is
what you call self-colored silver. Meaning his body color and
mane and tail are the same color. He does have some silver and
white underneath his tail (see photo above). This doesn't mean
that is the only color he will produce. He very well could
produce a light mane and tail. It is thought that possibly
Guthrie's agouti (bay gene) is either a sooty or brown gene which is
why he is so dark. Unfortunately there is no test for those
genes yet.
Champs Guthrie was
color tested by University of California, Davis, CA in November
2006. His test results were nZ. He carries one copy of the
silver gene. In December 2005 he was tested for what black and
agouti genes he was carrying. He carries one black gene and one
agouti (bay) gene (Ee Aa).
If you know your
mare's base color you can figure out what the color percentages for a
foal between Champs Guthrie and your mare. Click here to go to
the FOAL COLOR
CALCULATOR
Champs Guthrie's Siblings
Below are a couple of
Guthrie's silver siblings. As you can see the silver color can
vary quite a bit.
Holly Bar Brow 16
h.h.
gelding by Bar U Champ Binder
The
silver gene is a unique gene that only dilutes black
pigment. It is also called the " Z " gene or
silver dapple. The term silver dapple can be misleading
because not all horses carrying the gene are silver in color or
have dapples. 
The silver gene is dominant. When present it dilutes the
black pigmentation on the body and points of the horse.
The dilution can vary greatly within a breed and quite
differently from breed to breed. The body color can range
from a light silver in color to a dark chocolate brown color.
The silver gene also dilutes the points of the horse.
These points can also vary greatly from a very light flaxen
looking mane and tail to a mane and tail that are the same color
as the horse's body color.
The gene was originally thought to be in just the Rocky Mountain
Horses, the American Shetland and the Miniature Horse
breeds. However, in 2002 it was discovered in the Morgan
and Quarter Horse breed and recently in the Paint Horse.
It has also been found to be in Saddlebred
and Gypsy horses. 
Champs Guthrie is
what you call self-colored silver. Meaning his body color and
mane and tail are the same color. He does have some silver and
white underneath his tail (see photo above). This doesn't mean
that is the only color he will produce. He very well could
produce a light mane and tail. It is thought that possibly
Guthrie's agouti (bay gene) is either a sooty or brown gene which is
why he is so dark. Unfortunately there is no test for those
genes yet.
