AQHA’s color expert explains the foal color possibilities for a breeding between a gray and a chestnut.

Question:

I just bred my dapple gray mare, who has a lot of freckles, to a chestnut stallion. What are the possible foal colors I might get? What color stallion do I have to breed my mare to to get a palomino foal?

Amanda M.

Answer:

Hello Amanda,

When breeding your gray mare to your chestnut stallion, the possible colors would depend on what is in the pedigree of the gray. One thing to remember is we would need to know the color of the gray before turning gray. Without that information the sorrel/chestnut will pass on only the red gene. Thus I could tell you the foals would be sorrel/chestnut or gray.

To answer your second question, a palomino is genetically a sorrel/chestnut with one crème dilution gene. If you have a solid colored horse (not palomino or buckskin), you will need to breed to a palomino/buckskin.

We can help you further with horse color genetics issues. Call our offices during regular business hours. Just ask for me or another color expert.

Thanks for your questions!

Lisa Covey
AQHA Equine Color Specialist
(806) 378-4550