| Physical Characteristics THE FJORDHORSE has several different sorts of dun color. This is the same kind of color as the wild horse of Central Asia, the Przewalski, and the Tarpan, the European wild horse. This kind of color is also called wild color. The basic wild colors are brown dun, red (chestnut) dun and grey. In addition, uls dun and yellow dun are genuine colors of the breed. The majority of the breed has a dark dorsal stripe � eel � which runs from the forelock down the middle of the mane (midtstol) which is upright and clipped, along the back and into the tail. Zebra stripes on the limbs are usual. White markings are not considered desirable, but a small star can be accepted. Brown Dun The brown dun is the most common color. It can be found in lighter or darker shades. The color of the body is pale yellow-brownish, and can vary from cream yellow to a nearly brown. The midtstol (the darker stripe of hair in the middle of the mane), dorsal stripe and halefj�r (darker hair in the middle of the tail) are black, or dark brown. The light colored horses have white forelocks and white hairs on the outside of the mane. On darker individuals, these hairs are also darker. Red Dun The red (chestnut) dun's body-color is a pale red-yellowish, and can also be seen in lighter or darker shades. In some cases, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a brown and a red dun. On the red duns, the midtstol, dorsal stripe and halefj�r are red or red-brownish, always darker than the color of the body, but never black. Mane and tail are mostly very light or yellowish. On the lighter shades of red duns, the forelock, mane and tail can be completely white. When they are foaled, the red duns can have white hooves, but the hooves will darken as they grow older. Grey Dun The greys have a body-color, which can vary from light silver grey to dark slate grey. Midtstol, dorsal stripe and halefj�r are lighter than the main color. Forelock and muzzle areas are dark in contrast to the brown and red duns that mostly have a light forelock and muzzle area. On the darkest individuals, the mane and tail can be very dark. If one had used the same pattern in naming this color as in the naming of the others, grey should be called black dun, but this term has never been used. Uls (White) Dun Uls dun is a variety of the brown dun color caused by a factor that reduces the production of pigment, so-called diluted color. The color of the body is almost white or yellowish-white. Midtstol, dorsal stripe and halefj�r are black or grey. Mane and tail has a lighter shade than the body. Yellow Dun Yellow dun is the rarest of the Fjordhorse colors. It is a variety of red dun caused by the same factor as mentioned under uls dun. The color of the body is yellowish-white. Midtstol, dorsal stripe and halefj�r are darker yellowish than the color of the body. Forelock, mane and tail can be completely white, and on such individuals the dorsal stripe can be indistinct. Primitive Markings An important part of the description and identification of a Fjordhorse, are the so-called primitive markings. These are the dark midsection in the forelock, mane (midstol) and tail , a dark dorsal stripe ( eel stripe) and dark horizontal stripes on the legs (zebrastripes), especially on the forelegs. Some individuals can also have one or more dark stripes across the withers. The last marking is very seldom seen. Some individuals can have small brown spots on their body, for instance on their thigh or cheek. The zebrastripes have the same color as the midstol and the other markings, but are often of a lighter shade. They are most prominent in the horse's summer coat. Foals lack zebrastripes when they are foaled, but the stripes will appear by the first shedding of the foal-coat. The stripes are most prominent and in greatest numbers on the forelegs. In some cases, the zebrastripes are lacking on the greys and uls duns. On these, the legs can be of the same color as the body, or they can be dark up to the knees and hocks. |
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