* Basic Coat Colors: There are many basic coat colors in horses, with some estimates ranging from 10 to 15. These include bay, chestnut, black, gray, roan, and more.
* Patterns and Markings: On top of basic colors, horses can have a variety of patterns like pinto, appaloosa, and leopard, as well as markings like white socks, stars, and blazes. These add even more visual variety.
* Shades and Tones: Even within a single basic color, there can be many different shades and tones. A chestnut can range from light to dark, and a bay can have reddish or black tones.
So, there's no single, definitive answer. You can say there are many basic colors, but the actual variety in horse coloration is incredibly vast!