Dilutions – The Cream Gene

Doc-t March 21, 2015
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The cream dilution gene can dilute the red and black base colors and either has one copy of the cream gene (single dilution ) or two copies of the cream gene (double dilution). The cream gene is the most common modifier giving us a variety of shades of coat colors, but there are some basics.

The red base color (chestnut) with a single dilution of cream yields a Palomino, and a double dilution produces a Cremello.  There are no dorsal stripes or other black markings with a cream dilution of a chestnut.

The bay base color (black + the Agouti gene) with a single dilution yields a buckskin, and a double dilution produces a Perlino.  Most buckskins do not have a prominent dorsal stripe unless they also have the dun gene.

A black horse without the Agouti gene and a single dilution of cream produce a Smokey Black, and a double dilution yield a Smoky Cream.

Horses that are Buckskin, Palomino or Smoky Black (single dilution) can pass the creme gene onto half of their foals.  Double dilution horses (Cremello, Perlino and Smoky Cream) will always pass on at least one copy of the cream gene.

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This is a double cream dilution of a red based horse (chestnut) making him a Cremello. A single dilution would be a palomino but the pink skin and pale blue eyes are common with Cremello horses.
This is a double cream dilution of a red based horse (chestnut) making him a Cremello. A single dilution would be a palomino but the pink skin and pale blue eyes are common with Cremello horses.
This is a double cream dilution of a red based horse (chestnut) making him a Cremello. A single dilution would be a palomino but the pink skin and pale blue eyes are common with Cremello horses.
This pony shows the cream gene affecting different coat colors from 2 parents. One parent was a bay or buckskin and the other a chestnut or palomino giving a mix of perlino (dark legs below the knee and hock) and the cremello (flaxen mane and tail).
A Cremello horse with a red tint. It is homozygous (double dilution) cream dilution of a chestnut horse. Note the blue iris and red skin.
A Cremello horse with a red tint. It is homozygous (double dilution) cream dilution of a chestnut horse. Note the blue iris and red skin.
A Cremello horse with a red tint. It is homozygous (double dilution) cream dilution of a chestnut horse. Note the blue iris and red skin.
The darkened hair along the top line is not a dorsal stripe. However, the darkening of this area suggest that this buckskin (single cream dilution of a bay) may also have a dun gene allowing for the expression of this darkened area.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
The cremello color is a dilution of the chestnut gene. Notice the lack of dark mane, tail, and distal limbs consistent with a chestnut.
“Butternut” buckskin. Note that the base color of this horse is a bay but the legs have white stockings covering the darker leg color. You can see the dark color at the mane and hocks.
“Butternut” buckskin. Note that the base color of this horse is a bay but the legs have white stockings covering the darker leg color. You can see the dark color at the mane and hocks.
“Butternut” buckskin. Note that the base color of this horse is a bay but the legs have white stockings covering the darker leg color. You can see the dark color at the mane and hocks.
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