What is sorrel vs chestnut?

Sorrel and chestnut are two common coat colors seen in horses.

Sorrel is a chestnut-based color that ranges from a light, coppery red to a deep, rich mahogany. It is a solid color with no markings or white patches, and the mane and tail are typically the same color as the body.

Chestnut, on the other hand, is a more generic term used to describe a range of red-brown coat colors in horses. Chestnut horses can vary in shade from a light, sandy color to a dark, liver chestnut. They may also have variations such as flaxen manes and tails or white markings on the face or legs.

In terms of genetics, both sorrel and chestnut horses have the same base color gene (ee) which produces a red pigment in the coat. The difference in shade and intensity of the color can be influenced by other genes and factors such as nutrition and environment.

Overall, sorrel and chestnut are both beautiful and commonly seen coat colors in horses, with varying shades and characteristics that make each horse unique.