What Is It With Caring About Color?

[tbrace]

Just for my information, why is there so much interest in TB color on this board?

Not being critical, just curious.

Other than Tesio's conviction that grey was a sickness in TBs, I don't recall much interest in coat color.

(One exception in my experience might be the drunk who told me to "Always bet the grey horse", while standing in line at Hollywood park 30 years ago. Of course, the next grey horse won at long odds.)

[Rushtawin]

I think part of it is economics - a horse that appeals to the color market has a purpose even if his/her racing career falls through. And they're willing to spend a pretty penny on colors if you come across the right buyers in that color market. And there's the novelty of having a non-standardly colored/marked horse. A lot of them are fairly flashy, which is a plus in the show ring. Obviously, it doesn't replace movement, talent, or personality, but it's still a cool perk.

I think genetics are amazing to watch in how they choose to express themselves. I'm fond of paints, pintos, and dilutes... so maybe I'm just crazy, or maybe as an artist, I love seeing the full spectrum of colors. Ironically enough, my mare is a solid seal bay/brown with NO markings whatsoever. I think she's gorgeous. (Along with the rest of the horses )

[TrueColours]

I think Rushtawin hit the nail squarely on the head ...

A bay with 4 stockings and a blaze will sell far faster than a plain bay with no markings (with all things being equal - equal movement, height, conformation, type, etc)

Add a splotch of white on the body and you can now increase the price and/or sell them even faster

Add a pretty palomino or buckskin colour to the mix - FAR more of a market, and add stockings and a blaze to that palomino or buckskin - and again - a HUGE market for them!

[Rokeby Forever]

Secretariat was known as "Big Red." Native Dancer was known as "The Gray Ghost." Equipose was "The Chocolate Soldier." Maybe people get bored by seeing plain bay horses all the time.

[Marli]

I'm w/Donna on this one- absolutely love a dk. bay with lots of chrome! I actually just pulled 6 from the killpen three weeks ago (courtesy of the TRF and generosity of TX. breeder/owner) and committed to take two that were coming to my place, sight unseen. I had no idea the meatman would choose him, and an older gelding that is very similar.

He's recovering nicely and I do believe that within a few months he'll be rocketing around my pastures. His legs were still poulticed, he's got fresh pin-firing and took a beating in the killpen. Here he is, Wrap that Rascal. He's a real love! He does have three small white socks and a big blaze down his face (I suspect it's from his Sire's side/grandsire-Saint Ballado)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/marlifarm/Rascalsideview.jpg

[Jorge]

The rare phenotype of an equine has its attraction. But not to the extreme of rejecting a non-marked equine, which is a creature of God. All horses are His creatures and must be protected and loved. Hope that by admiring and enjoying the beauty of these creatures we may all help better protect all equines (marked and non marked).

[Toccet02]

Don't worry Jorge...I like chrome, but find solid faces more beautiful than, well, blazes! Pun intended.

[Skipitgirl]

I like chrome too but I get really tired of people advertising their horses as sabino just because they have socks (heck some dont even have socks!). I have a QH with four whites and a stripe but he is not a sabino! Just happened to get socks and a stripe!

[Laurierace]

I have yet to see an ugly horse in the winner's circle!

[summerhorse]

I love a flashy horse be it app, pinto, dilute or just a rare color or odd markings. But that doesn't replace good conformation.

But with all my interest in color this is my horse: http://pets.webshots.com/photo/10890178 ... 9937EOOcPr


I like the plain ones too!

[Jorge]

I have yet to see an ugly horse in the winner's circle!

Great point, Laurierace!

[TrueColours]

Laurierace - VERY true!!!

And Marli - I LOVE the head and expression of your new guy! He is gorgeous and looks ever so grateful that you rescued him as well ...

[skeenan]

Marli, Rascal is gorgeous... I'll say it again in this post! He has such a beautiful face... Glad he is with you...

I'm not as into color as some on the forum, as far as equine interests (the genetics), but appreciate the photos shared. The secret cowgirl in me has always loved palominos & buckskins. I'm truly a sucker for those dark horses and admit I'm a little prejudiced against certain shades of chestnut...

Took me a while to refind this link, but this girl is **stunning**... her color would more than grab my eye! Wanted to share again, for those who may not have seen these photos:
http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/album134

I think she is a good visual for the points made in the above posts...

[tbrace]

We all love a pretty horse, but the organizations that started to breed for color over conformation have not improved their breeds.

Appys, Paints, and even QHs that are bred to have lots of color have all experienced general conformation issues over the last several years.

Dog breeds such as Irish Setters that have been bred for hair color and and length no longer resemble the original breed.

To TB owners, lets be careful. Conformation and soundness first, temperament second, and color somewhere down the line.

[Barbaro06]

I love the variety of colors that show up in horses. I watched Nature a couple of weeks ago where a woman tracked and filmed some wild horses. The array of colors in the bands were amazing and one colt turned into a beautiful palomino. The woman also adopted a blue roan...which I find to be such a unique color.

I would have to agree with laurie...I have not seen an ugly horse in the winner's circle!