The silver gene is a unique gene that only dilutes black pigment.  It is also called the " Z " gene or silver dapple.  The term silver dapple can be misleading because not all horses carrying the gene are silver in color or have dapples.  

     The silver gene is dominant.  When present it dilutes the black pigmentation on the body and points of the horse.  The dilution can vary greatly within a breed and quite differently from breed to breed.  The body color can range from a light silver in color to a dark chocolate brown color.  The silver gene also dilutes the points of the horse.  These points can also vary greatly from a very light flaxen looking mane and tail to a mane and tail that are the same color as the horse's body color.

     The gene was originally thought to be in just the Rocky Mountain Horses, the American Shetland and the Miniature Horse breeds.  However, in 2002 it was discovered in the Morgan and Quarter Horse breed and recently in the Paint Horse. It has also been found to be in Saddlebred and Gypsy horses.  

     The best way for one to educate their eye on the silver color is to view many photos.  We hope to bring you these photos as we develop this site.  We will also show the progression of the color as it can change many times from a foal to adult. 

Color Change Progression