Product Description

Equine Color Genetics 2e is a complete discussion of horse and donkey colors, including details of their genetic control and their identification. The book explains how to accurately identify horses and donkeys by using colors. It furthers an understanding of the genetic basis of color and contributes to research on specific behavioral characteristics associated with color. The author includes all known color variations of horses throughout the world. The book provides an explanation of genetic mechanisms that determine colors and discusses colors in sequence from less common to more common. Donkey color is addressed in a separate section.

This uncomplicated and useful approach to understanding horse and donkey color patterns, as well as the various subtleties that exist, includes more than 100 striking color photographs accompanied by descriptions of both common and unique coat patterns.

With new chapters concerning breeds and conservation and on the basic biology of gene selection, as well as new appendices detailing previously undocumented genes in horses and donkeys, this second edition of Equine Color Genetics will appeal to anyone who is a student of the horse. Breeders, veterinarians, faculty and veterinary students and equine science students will find this book a valuable addition to their libraries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #464487 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 215 pages

Book Info
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA. Text presents the most recent advances in color genetics for horses, donkeys, and mules. Provides an explanation of genetic mechanisms, discusses each color and explains the interactions of genetic phenomena, Includes abundant color photographs. Previous edition: c1996.

From the Back Cover
Equine Color Genetics, Second Edition presents the most recent advances in color genetics to horse, donkey, and mule breeders, enabling breeders to tailor their breeding programs to maximize desired color outcomes and minimize undesired color outcomes. The book’s format bridges the gap between the scientific and lay communities without ignoring the intricate and complex issues involved in horse and donkey color genetics.

Equine Color Genetics

About the Author
D. Phillip Sponenberg is professor of pathology and genetics at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and has worked in the field of animal color genetics for nearly three decades. His work with rare breed conservation, largely through the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, has provided ample opportunity to pursue the variations and details of color in several uncommon but important breeds

Customer Reviews

good- but not worth the price
I found this book to be very useful, but definitly not $60 worth useful. In all honesty, I have found more information in my 'Equine Genetics & Selection Procedures', which is roughly five times the girth and I managed to nab that for $8. While this book is more up-to-date, and the pictures were extensive in what they covered, it just doesn't have enough to warrant the cost. Maybe if there were more pictures (there's only one chapter of photos) or they were larger (there's three per page), or if the actual probablility of the color (Punnet Square) were covered more fully.... but it's not worth $60 as is. I consider it to be a waste of my money.

Equine Color Genetics
This is an excellent book for those that are interested in coat color genetics for horses, and donkeys. It is a great book to follow up on after reading Sponenberg's first book "Horse Color", which I recomend reading if your new horses or genetics.
This book presents genetics, and explains them so anyone can understand the intricate, and complex issues involved.
And to think it all started when I got into breeding Paint Horses I found thier coat markings to be very interesting. And little was known then except for the basic Paint patterns when I started. This book puts a whole new light on it all. It's a must read book.
I read both these books over and over again. And I refer to these books a lot. I would highly recomend them.
Sponenberg also works with Rare breeds of Livestock.

Horse Color
Equine Color Genetics
Rare Breeds Album of American Livestock

The definitive book on horse coat colors
Sponenberg has set himself the task of writing a definitive book on horse coloration, one intended to summarize all available information on the subject as of the date of its writing. The book succeeds well in describing this complex and subtle subject, where 11 identified genes control the base coloration and more than 15 the various subtle modifications to the base color. It is nicely illustrated with color photographs correlated with descriptions of the probable genotypes of many horses of several breeds, and the tables and appendices will be useful to owners and particularly to breeders who are concerned with coloration. A much more cursory description is given of donkey coloration, the genetics of which is far less well worked out. In a few hours of study I was able to answer many questions that had puzzled and intrigued me about the colors of Morgan Horses and their forebears and offspring.