To grey or not to grey…

[Chickensoup7]

Hi!
We have a dark bay foal out of a grey mare and a dark bay stallion. Any guesses on if he will grey or not?
He was born with very dark legs but no grey hairs to be found on him.

Mare is not homozygous grey as a previous foal is chestnut.

Obviously we don’t actually care what colour he ends up but I am curious.

 

[Chickensoup7]

Another pic which didn’t attach to original post

 

[shortstuff99]

I think grey

 

[Chickensoup7]

Third time lucky

 

[Roxylola]

My understanding is that when they're born very dark and pigmented like that they do usually grey out

 

[Xmasha]

Weve had 2 born that dark. One will not grey and one will. The only way to tell ( as opposed to waiting it out) is to send hair sample off to the animal genetics. Its only £20 to find out if they have the grey gene
The one on the left is staying black . Full brother on right turning grey

 

[Chickensoup7]

Weve had 2 born that dark. One will not grey and one will. The only way to tell ( as opposed to waiting it out) is to send hair sample off to the animal genetics. Its only £20 to find out if they have the grey gene
The one on the left is staying black . Full brother on right turning grey

Thank you Asha. I didn’t realise that was an option. I will definitely look into sending a sample off as I’d love to know beautiful foals too.

 

[TheMule]

I tested my foal basically as soon as she was born because I couldn’t stand not knowing- it was quick and easy to do!
I¡d say your guy probably will go grey as very strong coloring at birth

 

[Xmasha]

Thank you Asha. I didn’t realise that was an option. I will definitely look into sending a sample off as I’d love to know beautiful foals too.

Doesn’t take long to come through either .
I’m going to guess staying black
Let us know the results

 

[Chickensoup7]

Third time lucky

 

[Clodagh]

Whatever colour, that’s a smart foal!

 

[I'm Dun]

New born pic says grey to me, but I'd test and get a definitive answer.

 

[TheMule]

From that picture I'd definitely say bay going grey. They tend to be born with foal camouflage on their black points if they're going to stay bay. Greys are born with strong coloration and pigmentation.
This is mine at a few days old (not going grey) See how much lighter her legs are? Interestingly she's now actually a very, very dark brown- you'd call her black, but she isn’t genetically black.

 

[Chickensoup7]

From that picture I'd definitely say bay going grey. They tend to be born with foal camouflage on their black points if they're going to stay bay. Greys are born with strong coloration and pigmentation.
This is mine at a few days old (not going grey) See how much lighter her legs are? Interestingly she's now actually a very, very dark brown- you'd call her black, but she isn’t genetically black.
View attachment 145115Thanks for your replies! I do think I will test as I am dying to know. He is so dark but doesn’t have one grey hair or any markings. Stunning foal may I add.

 

[Chickensoup7]

Whatever colour, that’s a smart foal!

Thank you!

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Grey, can already just about see the goggles developing round his eyes

Either way he's beautiful love his wee friends too

 

[Chickensoup7]

Grey, can already just about see the goggles developing round his eyes

Either way he's beautiful love his wee friends too

Aw thank you. It’s funny we thought that too but his coat is coming through dark as well. I wonder how long they can hide their grey for

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Th

Aw thank you. It’s funny we thought that too but his coat is coming through dark as well. I wonder how long they can hide their grey for

Think they usually start getting within first year

 

[Hackback]

Gorgeous foal. I have absolutely no idea what colour he'll be but I do hope you keep us updated, as I'm dying to find out now

 

[I'm Dun]

Aw thank you. It’s funny we thought that too but his coat is coming through dark as well. I wonder how long they can hide their grey for

A friend sold a 6yr old that was going grey and she just had some grey flecking and the grey tail end. She went grey slower than anything else I have ever seen!

 

[Xmasha]

With this photo I’m going to say will end up grey .
Gorgeous foal .

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/attachments/2b27e30d-fcca-4eb3-9143-eb0698c1dc91-jpeg.145114/