Peregrine Falcon
Looking forward to cooler days
Is this inherited? Have you bred from something with one and was it passed onto progeny?
Sclera
- Thread starter Peregrine Falcon
- Start date
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Do you mean white sclera or 'human eyes'? The eyes wouldn't be very good if a horse inherited a genetic defect where the sclera was absent! 
I have read that white scleras might be associated with sabino.
I have read that white scleras might be associated with sabino.
Peregrine Falcon
Looking forward to cooler days
Yes, I mean the white sclera. Saw a young colt with this recently and wondered if he would pass it on. He's a bay with no white markings. Personally I don't like it.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
You get used to it. I don't even register if a horse has white or brown sclera anymore. However if humans suddenly started to have brown sclera I would certainly notice that to start with!
Of course he might pass it on, however I've not read any concrete research into the genetics of it, whether it's recessive, dominant or a combination of genes. TBH it's the absolutely least important thing when deciding if a horse is worth breeding from. It has no bearing on the function of the eyes, the conformation, temperament, ability or trainability of the horse. It's irrelevant IMO.
Of course he might pass it on, however I've not read any concrete research into the genetics of it, whether it's recessive, dominant or a combination of genes. TBH it's the absolutely least important thing when deciding if a horse is worth breeding from. It has no bearing on the function of the eyes, the conformation, temperament, ability or trainability of the horse. It's irrelevant IMO.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
But it is relevant if you think it is ugly? It would be like using a grey stallion if you definately didn't want a grey foal.
If I was looking for a stallion for a mare I would choose one that ticked all the boxes, and in my view if he did not have a handsome head and a nice kind eye I would not use him.
If I was looking for a stallion for a mare I would choose one that ticked all the boxes, and in my view if he did not have a handsome head and a nice kind eye I would not use him.
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Well it's all down to how much value you put on aesthetics and that is a subjective and personal thing.
Grey is slightly different as it does have a health impact due to the link to melanomas.
Grey is slightly different as it does have a health impact due to the link to melanomas.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Fair enough, grey not a good example then, how about coloured?
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Pink skin is more suseptable to sunburn and photosensitivity.
It really is irrelevent in terms of function and is not a weakness. A better comparison is say the agouti gene that makes black horses bay. If you prefer black to bay or bay to black, it's purely a cosmetic and an aesthetic preference just as the sclera colour is.
Plus handsome is as handsome does. CM has one eye with white sclera and it hasn't stopped her from looking after her disabled rider for many years.
It really is irrelevent in terms of function and is not a weakness. A better comparison is say the agouti gene that makes black horses bay. If you prefer black to bay or bay to black, it's purely a cosmetic and an aesthetic preference just as the sclera colour is.
Plus handsome is as handsome does.
CM has one eye with white sclera and it hasn't stopped her from looking after her disabled rider for many years.lurcherlu
Well-Known Member
White scleras are the best ... End of
RamblingRosa
Active Member
Agree with lurcherlu. All my horses have white scleras cos they're appaloosas.
Casey76
Well-Known Member
Personally I love horses with white sclera... but then again we're all allowed different opinions