Smoky Black Pearl
Smoky black pearl is a black-based coat affected by one copy of the cream allele and one copy of the pearl allele. The result is a soft tan or dark beige shade that can look very similar to a faded black or dark buckskin coat.
Looks Like (Phenotype)
A smoky black pearl horse has a smooth, warm tan body with slightly darker points on the mane, tail, and lower legs. The skin is pinkish or softly mottled, and the eyes are often amber or hazel. In bright light, their coat can show a gentle metallic glow that makes them stand out from regular black horses.
Variations
Because both cream and pearl lighten the coat, there are only small variations in this colour. Some smoky black pearls appear more beige or golden, while others look closer to soft chocolate.
Foals are usually born pale with bluish eyes that turn amber as they mature, and their coat deepens slightly with age.
Behind the Colour (Genotype)
The pearl gene (prl) is located on the same part of the DNA as the cream gene (CR). When a black horse carries one cream allele and one pearl allele (CR/prl), the two interact to create the smoky black pearl dilution. This combination lightens both red and black pigments, giving the horse its soft tan appearance.
Related Colours
Black Pearl | Buckskin Pearl | Palomino Pearl | Smoky Cream | Seal Brown