Pearl

A recessive dilution gene that only shows in double dose or together with cream.

Pearl: A recessive dilution gene that only shows in double dose or together with cream.

What does this colour look like?

Two copies of pearl on a chestnut give an even pale apricot colour with light skin. Pearl with cream (Prl/Cr) gives a pseudo double-cream look with light skin and blue-green eyes.

Body
pale apricot (Prl/Prl)
Mane and tail
light
Legs
light
Skin
light
Eyes
sometimes blue-green

How does this colour arise?

Pearl usually does nothing unless a horse has two, or one pearl and one cream.

More about the genetics

Pearl (Prl) sits at the same locus as cream (SLC45A2) but is recessive. Only Prl/Prl or the compound heterozygote Prl/Cr shows dilution; a single Prl is invisible.

What is this colour often confused with?

  • Cremello

    An almost white, cream-coloured chestnut with pink skin and blue eyes.

  • Palomino

    You recognise a palomino by its golden coat with light, almost white mane and tail.

Discover more

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Sources: UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory · Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell).