Dun (D and nd1)

Dun is a gene that adds primitive markings but can also dilute coat color. The Dun gene has three genes:

  • D – Adds primitive markings and dilutes base color.
  • nd1 – Adds primitive markings.
  • nd2 – Non-dun, does not add primitive markings or dilute the base color. Horse is not dun.

Horses with at least one D gene will have a diluted coat and display primitive markings of a dorsal stripe and leg barring. The light crossbreed to the left displays this dilution and primitive markings on the red chestnut base coat.

Dun affects all base colors and adds “Dun” to the end of a color name except for horses with a black base and one “D” gene. These horses are called grullo. Other names may be associated with the dun dilution such as “apricot dun” or “claybank dun”. As of now, these terms are not used in Horse Fable but could be used in the future.

 

nd1

The light crossbreed to the right displays the nd1 gene on a red chestnut base. This has added a dark dorsal stripe and leg barring but has not diluted the base coat. On darker coats, this marking is less noticeable than on lighter coats. For black base horses, the dorsal stripe and leg barring is not visible and therefore black horses with the nd1 gene will display in the game is ‘black’, as these markings would not be visible in real life and most likely would need genetic testing to confirm the horse carriers the nd1 gene.