The Reds: Chestnut & Sorrel

Many registries try to separate sorrel and chestnut, but genetically they are the same, varying only according to other modifiers (like sootiness or pangare). Red (Chestnut and Sorrel) includes all red to red-brown horses with non black "points" (manes, tails, and lower legs) which may vary from almost black to almost white. UC Davis says both sorrel and chestnut are confusing terms that ought to simply be replaced with "Red."

RED is totally recessive. Sorrel/Chestnut horses are homozygous recessive. They do not have any other color genes, no matter what the parents may have been. (The exception is "A" Agouti - which does not affect the appearance of red horses, but may be carried and passed on to offspring.)
For a Complete discussion of RED see Equine Color's Red Page.

CHESTNUT and SORREL

 are both REDS, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Some specific breed prefer the use of the term "chestnut" and others use "sorrel." Still others use "sorrel" for the lighter shades and "chestnut" for the darker ones.

 
PMU Mare & Foal

Interesting chestnut mustang with silver grey mane and tail. The genetics of point colors are not well studied or understood as of yet.

Red BLM wild horses

LIVER CHESTNUT

Liver Chestnut is a red-based color pattern that closely mimics Bay, Black, and Silver.  Liver Chestnut horses are dark red to almost black in body color, with dark manes and tails. Their legs may be the same color as their bodies, or they may be darker, again mimicking Bay. If you see a Bay-like horse whose points are dark but not quite black, or a Bay-like horse with black mane and tail but legs that are not black, that is a Liver Chestnut.

Liver Chestnut	Dark Liver Chestnut horse from http://www.merrillcreekranch.com
So-called " Flaxen-Maned Liver Chestnut" horses are usually actually Silver Dapples.
"Flaxen Chestnut" horses may also be black-based Silver Dapples rather than true chestnuts:
True Flaxen Chestnut	Silver Dapples pony

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