HGG Community Forums

Frame is a gene that causes patterns where pigmented hair is pushed to the top and bottom line of a horse's body and neck, causing white patches with jagged edges on the sides of the body. It works with most of the genes that cause white spots, although it is least obvious when paired with Tobiano. Horses without a gene that causes white spots can carry frame without it's being particularly noticeable.

It is a homozygous lethal gene, meaning that if a foal receives Frame from both parents, it will be completely white and will die shortly after birth from impaction colic. This happens because the Frame breaks the gene so that the foal's intestines do not develop completely. In the game, it is simply announced as a dead foal. Its abbreviation is Olw for Overo Lethal White, because it is the gene that causes the common pattern formerly known as Overo.


http://hj2.huntandjump.com/horse.php?horseid=259468
This horse has White 2.


http://hj2.huntandjump.com/horse.php?horseid=259473
This horse has White 2 with Frame

Sandy and Ripshin have given you the most important information about frame and I'm just going to chime in with one more observation. As illustrated by Ripshin's pictures, I think of frame as a pattern modifier gene rather than a pattern by itself. The other gene like that currently in the game is W20, which enhances the amount of markings/patterns on a horse, amplifying its natural white factor.

As Ripshin said, frame is great at hiding when there isn't a pattern for it to enhance or enough white factor to be obviously expressed. If you know you have frame in a line, it's important to either color test all those babies or be willing to give up some live foals to the lethal white dice...

Wow is that interesting. You guys are incredible and explain everything so well. I really appreciate your help!!!! Thank you!! :)