Everyone stops and stares at a horse with a beautiful or unusual color. So striking are the variations of bay, gray, chestnut, black, solid, and spotted that many people breed for specific combinations. This has led to a marked increase in international interest in the study of horse color genetics—as well as a need for an easy-to-use reference suitable for the layperson who also wants to understand the science behind it all. In these pages, horsewoman and genetics specialist Vera Kurskaya puts forward a guide that aims to not only provide basic information about horse color appropriate for a general audience, but also explore the specifics of inheritance and recent color genetics research certain to inform serious aficionados worldwide. With 200+ color photographs in handy reference sections throughout, as well as an in-depth look at special hair features, the evolution of horse color, and the effect of color on performance, fertility, and character, Horse Color Explored is a fascinating and valuable resource for the modern horseperson.

Equine Color Genetics, Fourth Edition presents a detailed examination of the color variation in horses and donkeys and the genetic mechanisms that produce color variations. Thoroughly covers the basic colors in horses, including bay, chestnut, black, and brown Details the genetic basis of the colors built from the basic coat color, including dilutions and white patterning Provides an explanation of genetic mechanisms that determine coat color Presents a thorough revision and update, including new advances in molecular genetics, biochemistry, molecular mechanisms, genetic loci, coat colors before domestication, and more Offers a new introduction describing the principles of genetics and genomics research to help outline how knowledge is discovered and to assist the reader in understanding concepts covered in the book

Few people are more concerned with pedigree than racehorse breeders. But many breeders leave coat color and markings to chance because working out the probabilities seems daunting and complex. Jeanette Gower is here to help. In this clear and practical guide, she lays out the principles of color inheritance so that breeders and riders can finally understand them. With plenty of color photos, detailed diagrams, and charts describing inheritance patterns, Horse Color Explained offers carefully researched information on: Rare colors White markings Patterns Coat-color changes Paint-Horse genetics Mating outcomes and responsible breeding practices. Whether you’re a breeder, rider, or just a horse lover, Horse Color Explained offers expertise that is sure to enrich your appreciation of the art of racehorse breeding.

After several visits to study Icelandic sagas, Nancy Brown returns to Iceland to search for the perfect Icelandic horse, one she can bring back to her Pennsylvania farm and make her own. To do so, she must become part of the country's tightly knit horse-breeding community, which can be wary of outsiders and extremely protective of the world-famous breed. In this clear-eyed, evocative account set against Iceland's austere and majestic landscape, she describes what makes Icelandic horses and their owners so distinctive. She also discovers her limitations as a horsewoman and learns much about what she is looking for-in a horse and in her life.

Literary mashup master Waldrop is back with new stories of pirates, hidden movie history, the Wolfman of Alcatraz, and more.

As a young boy working in a livery stable, Ben Green realized that people preferred horses of different colors for different reasons. Green decided that if a horse's color had anything to do with its stamina, intelligence, or soundness, he wanted to learn