grey (born frame overo pseudo-double-dilute black dun)
gris (né frame overo pseudo-double-dilution noir dun)
Description
Result of an interaction between the Pearl gene and the Cream gene (or two Pearl gene copies), producing intense dilution on any base coat. The visual appearance is close to cremello or perlino with a slightly different tint.
Visual traits
Very pale body · Similar to cremello or perlino · Blue or amber eyes possible
Genetic basis
Pearl/Cream PrlCr or double Pearl PrlPrl — double dilution through interaction of two diluting genes.
The Dun gene dilutes the base coat and adds primitive wild-horse markings: a dorsal stripe along the spine, leg barring, and sometimes shoulder stripes.
The Frame Overo pattern adds irregular white patches to the base coat. Crossing two Frame horses is dangerous: 25% of foals will be homozygous O/O (OLWS) and will not survive.
This horse also carries the Grey gene, but it has no visible effect here: an already double-diluted coat is born as pale as progressive greying would eventually make it. Only DNA testing can reveal its presence — the melanoma risk associated with Grey still applies.