Basic Colors:
* Bay: Brown body with black points (mane, tail, legs).
* Black: Entirely black.
* Chestnut: Reddish-brown body with black points.
* Grey: White hairs mixed with other colors, typically becoming whiter with age.
* Palomino: Golden body with a flaxen (light blonde) mane and tail.
* Buckskin: Golden body with black points.
Patterns:
* Appaloosa: A breed known for their spotted coats, with various patterns including leopard, blanket, snowcap, and few-spotted.
* Paint: A breed with two-toned coats, usually white and a base color like bay, chestnut, or black.
* Roan: White hairs mixed evenly throughout the coat, creating a dappled effect. Can be bay roan, chestnut roan, etc.
* Piebald: Black and white coat.
* Skewbald: Any color other than black and white.
Other Factors:
* Dilution Genes: Some genes can dilute the base coat color, creating variations like cream, dun, and pearl.
* White Markings: White markings on the face, legs, and body are common.
* Champagne: A rare color with a golden coat and blue eyes.
* Perlino: A rare color with a cream coat and blue eyes.
Important Note: Horse color can be complex and influenced by many factors, including breed, genetics, and even the environment.
To explore further:
* Check out websites and books dedicated to horse colors and patterns.
* Visit horse shows or events to see the variety of colors in person.