Perlino and Cremello Horses: Unveiling the Ethereal Beauty of Dilute Coat Colors

July 20, 2020

Perlino & Cremello Horses: Understanding Dilute Coat Colors | Draw It Out®

Perlino & Cremello Horses: Understanding Dilute Coat Colors

By Jon Conklin • Updated August 13, 2025 • 6–8 min read

Double-dilute coats—Perlino and Cremello—turn heads: pale cream bodies, pink skin, and light eyes that shift from sky blue to soft amber. Here’s how to tell them apart, the cream-gene basics in plain English, and how to keep light coats ring-ready and calm to handle.

Fast Visual Cues (Perlino vs. Cremello)

Cremello (double cream on chestnut): Cream/ivory coat, pink skin, light mane & tail, blue to light eyes. Minimal contrasting points.
Perlino (double cream on bay): Similar light body, but often with slightly darker—coffee or apricot—mane, tail, and points due to underlying bay/black pigment.
Foal note: Eyes may appear bright blue and soften to aqua/amber with age.

“Look at the points: if mane/tail carry a caramel tint, you’re likely looking at Perlino—not Cremello.”

Genetics in Plain English (The Cream Gene)

The cream gene is a dilution. One copy lightens (e.g., palomino, buckskin). Two copies create double dilutes (Cremello, Perlino).
Base coat matters: Chestnut + double cream → Cremello; Bay + double cream → Perlino.
Double dilutes keep pigment in skin/eyes reduced—hence pink skin and light eyes.

Eyes & Pink Skin: Practical Care

Sun & friction: Pink skin can be more sensitive. Manage exposure, keep gear clean, and watch rub zones on nose, pasterns, and girth areas.
Clean routines: Dust and residue show fast on light coats—choose stay-put, non-greasy barriers in rub-prone spots.
Show rules: Always confirm current association guidelines for topical products on visible areas.

Reminder: This is general care, not medical advice. Work with your veterinarian for horse-specific plans.

Grooming & Whitening for Light Coats

Pre-wet & section: Pre-rinse and work from cleanest to dirtiest zones to avoid streaks.
Rinse–scrape cycles: Rinse thoroughly and scrape immediately so minerals don’t dry on hair.
Dry & airflow: Let hair lay flat before wraps/boots to prevent “shadow” staining and friction marks.

Show Prep: Calm, Clean, Repeatable

After work

Hand-walk, hose large muscles, scrape; repeat until breathing settles. Offer water in small stages.

Target zones

Apply thin, sensation-free support to high-motion areas—keep application tidy to avoid dust lines on light hair.

Between classes

Quiet stall time, consistent feed/water timing, and quick spot-cleans to keep coats bright.

Travel days

Walk on arrival, check rub-prone areas, and keep routines predictable to settle the mind and presentation.

Products We Trust

SilverHoof EQ Therapy®

Stay-put barrier for cannons/pasterns—ideal on light coats where residue shows fast. Clean feel, show-friendly.

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Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Gel

Sensation-free, water-based support for legs and high-motion zones—no heat, no sting, no sticky shine.

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Rapid Relief Restorative Cream

Light, non-greasy comfort for rub-prone creases on pink skin; tidy presentation without slick residue.

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Keep the cream clean.

Want a printable Light-Coat Show Prep Checklist (stain strategy, rub-map, product timing)? Reach out—we’ll tailor it to your footing and schedule.