Flaxen

Flaxen is a genetic trait in horses that causes the mane and tail to be lighter in color than the body coat. This trait is most commonly seen in chestnut horses, where the mane and tail appear to be a pale, flaxen color, contrasting with the darker reddish-brown body coat.

Genetics

The flaxen trait is believed to be inherited, although the exact genetic mechanism is not fully understood. It is thought to be a recessive trait, meaning that a horse must inherit the gene from both parents to exhibit the flaxen coloration. The gene responsible for flaxen has not yet been definitively identified.

Appearance

Horses with the flaxen trait typically have a body coat that ranges from light chestnut to dark liver chestnut, with a mane and tail that are significantly lighter, often appearing almost white or cream-colored. This striking contrast can make flaxen chestnut horses particularly eye-catching.

Breeds

The flaxen trait is seen in several horse breeds, including the Haflinger, Belgian horse, and Morgan horse. It is less common in other breeds but can occasionally be found in various other horse populations.

Related Traits

Flaxen should not be confused with other lightening traits such as the silver dapple gene, which also lightens the mane and tail but affects the body coat differently. Additionally, the palomino coloration, which results from a different genetic mechanism, produces a golden body coat with a white mane and tail.

See Also

• Chestnut (horse)
• Horse coat color genetics
• Silver dapple gene
• Palomino