The horse has accompanied man for centuries and has played an important role in the development of our societies. However, although we have shared so much with them, we still have a lot to learn about the different breeds of horses that exist today. It is precisely for this reason that we invite you to learn a little more about one of the most admired equines in the world: the chestnut horse. In this PlanetAnimal sheet, we will tell you all about the origin, characteristics and care required by a chestnut horse.
Happy reading!
Origin
- Africa
- America
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Origin of the chestnut horse
" It is still very common to hear that a chestnut horse is a breed of horse. However, all horses that have a reddish color, i.e. a chestnut coat, are called chestnut horses. The term chestnut refers to the color of the horse&39;s coat, not its breed. Indeed, it is possible to find chestnut horses of different breeds, with very different origins, physical characteristics and temperaments."
" The striking reddish color of the chestnut horse is due to the action of a recessive allele which produces a red pigment called pheomelanin. This recessive allele is known as e and for a horse to have the famous chestnut coat it must be homozygous for this genetic trait (both alleles must be the same ee)."
" However, chestnut horses can show different intensities and patterns in their coat. Indeed, the coloring and distribution of the reddish color in the horse&39;s coat depends on several genetic factors, being mainly associated with the combination of additional alleles acting on the fundamental pair ee which produces the basic red color. "
Physical Characteristics of the Chestnut Horse
Red is one of the basic coat colors of horses and therefore can occur in almost any breed of horse. Consequently, there is enormous morphological variety among chestnut horses. They usually have brown eyes, but Chestnuts who have white patches covering their eyelids may have blue eyes.
Similarly, the physical trait that characterizes all these equines is the striking chestnut coat. But even in their dress, it is possible to observe a great diversity among the specimens of the chestnuts.The hairs at the base of the body can have different shades of red, ranging from reddish brown to dark brown and cinnamon shades. The mane and tail can also be red, blond or whitish, but should never be black. It is also possible to find individuals with white spots on the body.
Depending on the intensity and distribution of the reddish color in their coat, we can talk about different types or varieties of chestnut horses. Next, discover the 7 most common types of chestnut horses in the world:
- " Common (or Typical) Chestnut Horse: Also known as red chestnut or red chestnut, it is characterized by the quintessential chestnut coat that features a solid reddish color throughout the length of the body. "
- Sorrel chestnut horse: is the most similar to the common chestnut, whose main characteristic is to have the same shade of hair on the body, mane and tail.Its coat also tends to have a less intense shade of red than that of the typical chestnut, and may even have golden highlights.
- Light chestnut horse: This is the variety with the lightest coat, with a predominance of brown hair. In addition to genetic inheritance, diet can influence the intensity of coat color.
- Dark chestnut: also called liver chestnut, it is characterized by a dark brown color with reddish reflections, and can possibly be confused with chocolate bay.
- Black-liver chestnut: it looks a lot like the chestnut, with a solid dark brown coat, but its mane and tail are much more reddish, and can even have orange highlights.
- Black chestnut horse: despite its name, its coat is not black, but has a tone very close to fire, with bronze reflections distributed along the body.
- Blonde Chestnut Horse: Known as the blond chestnut horse, it is characterized by a blond, even slightly bleached tail and mane. The body is usually chestnut or light reddish in color.
Character of the chestnut horse
As with physical traits, the character of the chestnut horse can vary greatly depending on the individual's breed, lineage, upbringing and environment. Therefore, a unique temperament cannot be defined for the chestnut horse.
However, these magnificent equines logically present certain characteristic traits of horses. For example, they will show great courage, great energy, privileged intelligence and, when well stimulated, a remarkable predisposition to learning, which will facilitate their training for different purposes. .
When properly cared for and kept in a positive environment, chestnut horses tend to have a balanced and friendly demeanor, coexist with other animals and maintain a bond of mutual trust with their guardians and their riders.
Caring for a Chestnut
In order to be at the top of your physical, cognitive and emotional abilities, you have to know how to take care and take good care of them. Among all the basic care, it will absolutely be necessary to groom it correctly and to brush it well daily. Also, don't forget to take care of his hooves.
Depending on the conditions and the type of activity or training you do with your chestnut horse, it may be necessary to shower him and clean his legs to prevent dirt and grease from building up. humidity. If you choose to give your horse a complete bath, remember to use products suitable for his hygiene and take particular care when washing him near his eyes and the mucous membranes of his nose and mouth.
A complete and balanced diet will also be essential because it must absolutely meet the nutritional needs at each stage of its life.Like all herbivorous animals, the diet of horses should be based on the consumption of foods of plant origin. Your chestnut horse will need to eat enough hay, green forage and grass to provide the protein and fiber needed to maintain a balanced metabolism and optimal digestion. In addition, it is advisable to consume a moderate amount of he althy vegetables, such as potatoes, alfalfa and carrots.
How much food should a horse eat per day? As a general rule, it is estimated that a horse should consume 1 kg of feed for every 10 kg of body weight. However, it should be remembered that newborn horses are infants and that mother's milk is the only food capable of fully covering their nutritional needs, as their organism is not yet able to digest other foods.
To supplement your chestnut horse's diet, it is also recommended to give him s alt stones in moderation, considering that they are excellent sources of minerals, mainly calcium and essential vitamins to strengthen their immune system.Finally, chestnut horses need their body and mind stimulated daily, as they have great energy and a privileged intelligence.
He alth of the chestnut horse
Chestnut horses are generally known for their excellent physical endurance and very good he alth. However, they can be affected by a number of common equine diseases, such as colic, tetanus and equine influenza. In addition, they will need to have a hygienic routine in their environment and good grooming to prevent skin problems such as dermatitis, mange or ringworm.
Of course, your horse will need to receive appropriate preventive medicine to strengthen its immune system and prevent its he alth from being affected by many diseases or parasitic infestations. Therefore, do not forget to carry out preventive consultations every six months with a specialized veterinarian, and to keep your horse's deworming and vaccinations up to date.
Pictures of Chestnut Horse
