Horse Coat Colors: Quick ID Guide to Common Colors, Dilutes, and Patterns

Coat Colors

Horse Coat Colors

Quick ID guide, simple definitions, and the cleanest path to the right label.

Start here if you want to label a horse’s coat color correctly without turning it into a science project. Use the quick family guide below, then jump to the exact color or pattern you are looking at.

Jump to

Fast ID method Common lookalikes Red family (sorrel, chestnut, liver chestnut) Cream dilutes (palomino, perlino, cremello) Dun family (grullo) Patterns (Paint patterns, flea-bitten gray) FAQ

Fast ID method

Three-step shortcut: First check points (black mane, tail, and lower legs). Next check dilution clues (gold body, light mane, pink skin, primitive markings). Then decide if you are seeing a pattern (gray progression or Paint white placement).

Step 1 Look at points

If the mane, tail, and lower legs are clearly black, you are likely looking at a bay-based color or a color with black points. If there are no black points, you are usually in the red family.

Step 2 Look for dilution clues

Gold body with light mane often points to palomino. Double dilutes can look ivory with pink skin. Dun often shows primitive markings like a dorsal stripe and leg barring.

Step 3 Decide if it is a pattern

Gray is a progressive change over time. Paint patterns describe where white shows up and how the edges look. Patterns can sit on top of many base colors.

When stuck Use the comparison pages

If you are torn between two labels, start with the comparison pages and quick checklists. They are built for fast decisions and common lookalikes.

Common lookalikes

If you are stuck, it is usually one of these. Use the linked pages for the quick checklist and tie-breakers.

Palomino vs buckskin

Fast tell: buckskin keeps darker points, especially lower legs. Palomino usually does not keep true black points.

Go to palomino guide

Sorrel vs chestnut

Fast tell: most barns use the words for the same red family. If there are no black points, you are in the chestnut family either way.

Go to sorrel guide

Liver chestnut vs dark bay

Fast tell: dark bay has black mane, tail, and usually black lower legs. Liver chestnut stays in the red family with no true black points.

Go to liver chestnut guide

Perlino vs cremello

Fast tell: both can look ivory. Check mane, tail, and faint point tint. If you know the base coat, that is the answer.

Go to perlino vs cremello

Grullo vs gray

Fast tell: gray changes year to year. Grullo is a stable color with primitive markings like a dorsal stripe and leg barring.

Go to grullo guide

Flea-bitten gray vs roan borders

Fast tell: flea-bitten gray shows speckles on a mostly white coat and is part of gray progression. Roany borders are usually edge effects around white patterning.

Go to flea-bitten gray

Overo vs tobiano vs tovero vs sabino

Fast tell: focus on topline crossing, edge shape, and face white style. Patterns are about placement, not base coat color.

Go to Paint patterns

Red family (sorrel, chestnut, liver chestnut)

Fast cue: red body with no true black points.

Sorrel horse

Quick definition: Sorrel is a red coat label inside the chestnut family.

Best for: sorrel vs chestnut questions and quick ID.

Chestnut horse

Quick definition: Chestnut is the red base family, with mane and tail that usually stay in the red family too.

Best for: shade range, lookalikes, and consistent labeling.

Liver chestnut

Quick definition: Liver chestnut is a darker shade inside the chestnut family.

Best for: liver chestnut vs dark bay confusion.

Cream dilutes (palomino, perlino, cremello)

Fast cue: lighter body coat from the cream gene. Single dilutes look gold. Double dilutes can look ivory with pink skin.

Palomino horse

Quick definition: Palomino is typically chestnut plus one cream gene, creating a golden coat with light mane and tail.

Best for: palomino vs buckskin questions and sun-bleaching care.

Perlino vs cremello

Quick definition: Cremello is double cream on chestnut. Perlino is double cream on bay. The points are where you usually see it.

Best for: fast tells and the most common double dilute mix up.

Dun family (grullo)

Fast cue: primitive markings like a dorsal stripe and leg barring.

Grullo and grulla

Quick definition: Grullo is typically dun on a black base, creating a slate body with black points and primitive markings.

Best for: grullo vs gray confusion and quick ID.

Patterns (Paint patterns, flea-bitten gray)

Fast cue: patterns describe white placement or progressive change, not the base color itself.

Paint patterns

Quick definition: Paint patterns describe where white shows up, how the edges look, and whether white crosses the topline.

Best for: overo vs tobiano vs tovero vs sabino questions.

Flea-bitten gray

Quick definition: Flea-bitten gray is a late stage gray coat with scattered darker speckles on a mostly white coat.

Best for: flea-bitten vs roan confusion and show-week coat management.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to identify a horse coat color?

Start with the base family and then confirm points and markings. First check for black points, then look for dilution clues, then decide if you are seeing a pattern like gray progression or Paint white placement.

What is the difference between coat color and coat pattern?

Color describes the base pigment and dilution. Pattern describes how white or progressive change shows up across the body, like gray progression or Paint pattern placement.

Where should I start if I am torn between two labels?

Use the comparison pages first. Sorrel vs chestnut is the most common red coat mix up. Perlino vs cremello is the most common double dilute mix up. Paint patterns are the most common pattern mix up.

Does gray mean the horse will keep changing color?

Yes. Gray is a progressive pattern that tends to lighten a horse over time. Flea-bitten gray is a later stage where darker speckles can appear on a mostly white coat.


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