HGG Community Forums

Yes, what is dp?

DP is a gene that causes red pigment to build up in hair cells making them darker than usual. It is postulated as the cause of liver chestnuts. DP does not show up in the game gene test.

In conjunction with the Sooty gene, it is one of two darkening color genes in the game. If a chestnut horse is homozygous Sooty (SstySsty) and its color name is Liver Chestnut, you will know that horse carries DP. A heterozygous Sooty (SSsty) Liver Chestnut will have two copies of DP. If the Liver Chestnut looks almost black, then it is homozygous for both Sooty and DP.

Three or more darkening genes on a palomino makes a Chocolate Palomino.

DP can occur in any horse, no matter its color, but it only gives a visible effect on horses with red hair--Chestnuts, and Bays, and horses with those base coats and one or more of the dilution genes Cream, Dun, or Champagne. Liver Chestnuts and Chocolate Palominos, though, are the only ones for which there is a special name (Liver Red Dun is the only additional one).