Bay
A bay horse has a brown body with black mane, tail and lower legs.
What does this colour look like?
A brown body (light to dark) with black points: mane, tail, ear rims and lower legs are black.
- Body
- brown, light to dark
- Mane and tail
- black
- Legs
- black lower legs
- Skin
- dark
- Eyes
- brown
How does this colour arise?
Bay has black, but that black is pushed to the edges (the points). The body stays brown.
More about the genetics
Bay has at least one working E allele (Extension) plus at least one dominant A allele (Agouti). Agouti restricts the black to the points; the body shows the underlying red-brown.
What is this colour often confused with?
- Seal brown
Almost black, but with brown shading on the muzzle, flanks and above the eyes.
- Black
An evenly black horse, from nose to tail, without brown or red zones.
- Liver chestnut
A very dark, chocolate-brown chestnut.
- Bay dun
Dun on a bay base: a yellowish-brown body, black points and a dorsal stripe.
Which breeds show this colour?
Discover more
Sources: UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory · Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell).