Sabino is a group of white patterns that affect the skin and hair, and is visually recognizable by the slight roaning at the edges of white markings. In some breeding groups, sabino refers to any type of marking resembling sabino, even if the horse is tested to not carry the gene.
Some markings that can be caused by the sabino gene are:
Since sabino is part of KIT, it can only be present with another KIT gene if it is heterozygous. If homozygous, not other KIT gene will be present.
Some markings that can be caused by the sabino gene are:
- White above the knees or hock
- Splashes of white on the belly
- White face markings extending past the eyes or to the chin
- Blue eyes or heterochromia
Since sabino is part of KIT, it can only be present with another KIT gene if it is heterozygous. If homozygous, not other KIT gene will be present.
- There are many known types of sabino-like markings that have yet to be sequenced. Researches have called the currently known gene SB1, expecting genes similar to sabino to be called SB2, SB3, and so on.
- SB1 is absent in Arabian, Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Shire, and Clydesdale horses, though all are known to have sabino-like markings. It is very possible, however, that these breeds have a type of unknown sabino gene active.
Genes that are in bold are active on the coat. Genes that are underlined are genes that the horse may carry, but will have no visible effect on the coat.
Sabino
Gene Sequence
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · SB1sb1+ · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · lplp · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · SB1sb1+ · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · lplp · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2
Sabino White
Gene Sequence
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · SB1SB1 · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · lplp · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · SB1SB1 · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · lplp · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2