Double Play's Dynamo - TWH Courtesy of Laurindale Stables

Flaxen

Flaxen is a modifier that affects the mane and tail, causing it to become a white to cream color. Unfortunately exactly how Flaxen works is not know at this time. There is theory that Flaxen is recessive and only affects red pigment. If true, this gene could be passed along for generations on red or black based horses before showing itself physically. Flaxen doesn't always effect the mane and tail equally. It is possible for either the mane or tail to be lightened while the other is not.

Because it is not understood exactly how Flaxen is controlled, it is unknown how many breeds have the gene. The Tennessee Walking Horse, Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse, American Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse are just a few that are known to have Flaxen. Some breeds are exclusively Flaxen Chestnut, the Haflinger and American Belgian are two.

Blacksaddle Starbuck - Morgan Courtesy of Colorful Morgans

Sooty is a modifier that is found in many breeds. It acts on both red and black based horses by darkening the color or certain areas of the horse. It varies in extent from minimal to extensive and has a many different expressions. Sooty can cause dapples, it can cause individual black hairs, it can cause a darker shade along the topline and it can also darken the animal in a uniform manner.

Sooty is most concentrated along the top of the horse, like a bucket of ash was poured from head to tail. Many times Sooty expresses itself as a dark line, that varies in width, down the back of the horse. This is often called Countershading and is commonly mistaken for a dorsal stripe associated with Dun. Other times Sooty may be expressed by a dark shadow flowing onto the sides of the neck, over the shoulders and hips. The parts of the animal that are the least effected by Sooty are the areas underneath and soft parts, the flanks, behind the elbows, the buttock, the muzzle, around the eyes, along the belly and between the front and hind legs.

Sooty Bay - Miniature Horse ©Equine Color

Some horses are very sooty, so much so that the true color can be mistaken for something else or unknown entirely. The horse below is a Buckskin that has a very high degree of Sooty. The poor quality of the pictures fails to show the degree of the Sooty expression on this horse but the only areas not affected are along her belly, between the front and hind legs, the muzzle and around the eyes, which are a tan color normally seen with Buckskins. In contrast the color along her topline is so dark it is almost black.

Sooty Buckskin - Miniature Horse ©Equine Color

Moab - Haflinger Courtesy of Dave Kahle

Mealy/Pangare'

This modifier is often referred to as Mealy but is also called Pangare' (pan-guh-RAY). The effects of this modifier are seen along the underside of the horse. In the "soft" parts, or on the muzzle, behind the elbows, in the flanks, on the buttock, above or around the eyes and along the belly. The color of these areas depend on the color of the horse but usually range from white to a light tan.

The term Mealy is sometimes included in the description of the horses' color, for example, the horse to the left could be referred to as a "Mealy Mouth Bay". Mealy is very common in all breeds, some breeds are almost exclusively modified, to varying extents. Halfingers and American Belgians are good examples of different degrees of Mealy on Chestnut and Exmoor ponies are excellent examples of differing degrees of Mealy on Bay.

Strider - Haflinger Courtesy of Dave Kahle

Exmoor Pony ©Encyclopedia of the Horse