Dark Spots
SdS_ No. 1 30" x 30”
acrylic 2014 |
Fig. 4 Dark Spots
12” x 12” colored pencil 2014 |
The SdS allele creates dark spots. Out of the four possible modifiers in the leopard complex, this is the only one that adds pigment. The other three remove pigment to create white hairs. The spots created by this allele are the same color or a shade darker than the horse’s base color. They are usually found over the horse’s hips, but may spread over the entire body. SdS is dominant, so like with the spotting factor locus, this horse’s genotype is written SdS_ (Gower, 104). I should note here that this horse is completely made up. While it is possible to have a horse with just dark spots, they generally aren’t visible without one of the other modifiers to create white around the dark spots.
Dark spots are represented in the paintings by a pattern based on resurrection ferns. I saw them in Florida during the dry season, when they were dried out and curled up.
Gower, Jeanette. Horse Color Explained a Breeder's Perspective. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square, 1999. Print.
Dark spots are represented in the paintings by a pattern based on resurrection ferns. I saw them in Florida during the dry season, when they were dried out and curled up.
Gower, Jeanette. Horse Color Explained a Breeder's Perspective. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square, 1999. Print.