Features and color options of a chestnut horse suit
The color of a horse is not just its color, but a general combination of the color of the croup, limbs, mane, and also the tail, which is laid down at the level of genetics. The chestnut color of the horse is considered the most common and is found in all breeds. Bay horses are highly valued by breeders, as they are distinguished by their efficiency, physical strength and excellent speed. This color exists in several variations, each of which has its own characteristic nuances and features.
The origin of the suit
According to the first, it refers to the Turkic language, like the names of other stripes. Proponents of another theory are sure that this term originated from the Russian "oppression" - this is what the Slavs called the process of kindling a flame.
Bay horses have always been considered fast, friendly and hardy, due to which they were widely used as assistants for household tasks. Horses of this color are more often than others become champions in various races.
Specificity of coloring
The “bay” horse color is one of the basic colors found among most breeds.
This color has several specific differences:
- The basic tone in which the limbs, croup, neck and muzzle of the animal are colored is brownish in various variations. It can be dark chocolate, ginger or nutty.
- At a newborn age, foals have a pink skin, which changes to gray as they mature.
- The limbs below the knee, ears, tail and mane of the horse are painted in a rich dark shade.
- The eyes are usually brown.
A characteristic feature of all types of bay horses is the burning effect on the coat, which is due to the bluish-black hairs in the main wool mass.
Bay horse suit: main varieties
The bay color of horses has several shades, each of which has specific features and characteristic differences:
- Light chestnut color - characterized by the predominance of a golden brown or brick shade in color. The coat on the head, mane and tail of the animal has a lighter shade than the coat of the croup. A dark, sometimes black line is located along the spine of the animal. The light chestnut horse is characterized by milky sandy patches around the eyes and nose. Some horses have yellowish blotches in the groin and around the buttocks. According to the accepted standard, the presence of snow-white "socks" on the horse's legs is allowed.
- The dark is a chestnut horse with a black mane, tail and dark limbs. The lower half of the horse's muzzle and back are almost black, the rest of the horse's body is painted in various chocolate shades.
- Bay deer - as the name implies, this species resembles the color of wild deer. The upper back and croup of the horse are colored in darker shades of brown, closer to the belly and neck the coat becomes noticeably lighter. Legs below the knee joints, the tail and mane of the animal are traditionally black.
- The cherry color of bay horses is considered one of the most spectacular.It is characterized by a bright red or cognac shade of hair, on which you can clearly see the cherry-scarlet tide. Only the legs of the animal below the knee joints differ from the general cherry color - they have a traditional black-brown color, light gray is allowed.
- The chestnut color of bay horses is considered the most common. It combines all the characteristic features of the suit - a dark brown color of the main coat with dark areas of "burning", evenly located throughout the body. It is they who give the horse's appearance showiness and grace.
- The overbearing variety of bay horses is quite rare. A significant part of the animal's coat is colored bright brown. In the area of the buttocks, groin and muzzle, spots of lighter shades are allowed.
- One of the most unusual and rare ointments is considered golden. Such bay horses can be identified by their light red, almost yellow coat color with a characteristic golden tint and oily sheen. For males, beige shades of wool without golden tint are characteristic.
The relationship between suit and character
The color of a horse determines not only its appearance, but also character traits, physical capabilities and working qualities.
Bay horses are traditionally endowed with advantages that distinguish them favorably from horses of other colors:
- lively, inquisitive, but balanced temperament;
- excellent endurance;
- powerful, athletic body structure;
- high speed.
Many breeders value bay horses precisely for their balanced and calm nature. It is much easier to deal with such animals than with representatives of other stripes. For example, blacks, known for their aggressive, wayward and independent nature.
The chestnut color of horses is considered the most common among breeders. Its popularity is due to its excellent physical abilities, efficiency and high resistance to intense stress.
Bay horses have a calm and even temperament. They lend themselves well to education and do not show aggressiveness and willfulness towards a person. Due to the high acceleration speed, representatives of this suit get first places in equestrian sports.
Care for a bay horse
Proper care of a bay horse is the key to its excellent well-being, physical strength, good health and spectacular appearance.
The basic rules of care are no different from the maintenance of horses of other colors and breeds:
- Horses should only be kept in a warm, dry and roomy stable. It must have a spacious room for walking and training animals.
- It is very important for the good health of the horses to protect it from constant cold and drafts.
- An important role in horse care is given to proper, balanced nutrition. In the diet of bay horses, oats and other grain crops, hay, nuts, vegetables and roots, fruits. You can't do without special additives - chalk, salt and bone meal.
- The required amount of water is calculated depending on the weight of the horse. You need at least 10 liters for every 100 kg of body weight.
- After training, the animal must be rinsed with warm water, and also carefully monitor the cleanliness of its hooves.
The bay color of horses is one of the most widespread, numerous and popular. It has several varieties that differ in color nuances. Animals of this color are highly valued by breeders for their spectacular appearance, balanced character and excellent physical characteristics.