Silver Horse

Silver Horse

Silver coat colour, known as Silver Dapple, is a ‘dilution’ or lightening of the black pigment in the horse’s hair, resulting in a silvery-grey or even white coat colour. It is a dominant trait, caused by a mutation to the gene for premelanosome (PMEL), and it is found in multiple breeds. The silver coat colour caused by this variant is most visible in the longer hairs of the mane and tail, which are lightened to a silver-grey or flaxen colour.

It should not be confused with G-Locus Grey, which causes gradual but permanent lightening of the horse’s coat.

MCOA

Horses carrying the Silver mutation are also noted to be at risk for Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA, also known as Anterior Segment Dysgenesis and as Congenital Aniridia). MCOA can cause a range of eye defects such as uveal cysts, cornea globosa, iris stromal hypoplasia, abnormal pectinate ligaments, cataract and iris hypoplasia.

Relevant tests

• P784