Dun Horse Color — Description, Pictures, and Genetics

In order to understand the dun gene in horses, we should first look at how it is represented genetically, and then how it affects the three common coat colors of chestnut, black, and bay.

On the large majority of horses, you can tell if they carry the dun gene by looking for the telltale dorsal stripe running down the back of the horse.

A red dun occurs when the dun gene is layered on an otherwise red horse.

Red Dun

A grulla horse is a horse that was born with a solid black base and the dun gene.

Grulla Dune Horse

The roan gene in horses causes small white hairs to appear scattered throughout the body. There is typically more white in winter and less in summer.

Dun Roan Horse