On Feb 10, 2008, at 11:53 AM, Mic Rushen wrote: > >> From the Percheron Horse Association of America: > > "Percherons are usually black or grey, but there are also sorrels, > bays, roans, etc. Many Percherons have white markings on the head and > feet, but excessive white is undesirable." > > I wonder how on earth sorrels and roans crept in - I can only think > there was some cross breeding in the US, perhaps with Clydesdale, or > Belgians or something similar, as chestnut is a recessive gene....
It was probably hidden in the grays and blacks all along. Just because the European societies didn't recognize sorrels and roans for breeding didn't mean they didn't happen . . . and become grade plow horses or meat or were put down at birth. Meanwhile the color carriers were registered and kept breeding. Once the American registry started allowing it, the chestnuts came out of the closet. Lynn Kinsky, Santa Ynez, CA http://www.silcom.com/~lkinsky/
