Seal brown

Almost black, but with brown shading on the muzzle, flanks and above the eyes.

Seal brown: Almost black, but with brown shading on the muzzle, flanks and above the eyes.

What does this colour look like?

A very dark horse that looks black, with lighter (brown to red-brown) zones on the muzzle, around the eyes, in the flanks and the groin.

Body
blackish with brown zones
Mane and tail
black
Legs
black
Skin
dark
Eyes
brown

How does this colour arise?

A variant of bay in which almost the whole body is dark, except for a few brown zones.

More about the genetics

Usually linked to the At allele at Agouti (not yet confirmable with a commercial test). It differs from true black by the tan zones.

What is this colour often confused with?

  • Black

    An evenly black horse, from nose to tail, without brown or red zones.

  • Bay

    A bay horse has a brown body with black mane, tail and lower legs.

Discover more

Liver chestnutFlaxen chestnutTest your knowledge in the quizAll coat colours

Sources: Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell). The source lists this as still to be verified; provisional.