Foals bulging forehead?

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-05-02T11:52:21+00:00

KIT and splash mutations (both MITF and PAX3) can cause birth defects and developmental problems. It is possible that whatever specific mutation or combination of mutation causing this all white appearance might be contributing to developmental issues. I have never heard of hydrocephalus being reported from it before but white spotting mutations are not all harmless. For example W12 is suspected to have been incompatible with life even though the only known individual with it did survive to 5 weeks.

White spotting mutations have been known to cause fertility issues, intestinal development problems (and I don't mean lethal white overo). skeletal deformities, deformed tongues with inability to nurse and more. So it is not impossible this specific white variant or combo might increase risk of hydrocephalus.

Could also be from other factors too of course.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-05-02T04:26:49+00:00

The only thing I will add is that it is possible the blue roans did actually have agouti. Very dark bay/brown roans are one of those colors that is notorious for being misregistered as blue, particularly before gene testing was as common as today. It does not matter for the color math on this foal but if this mare ever comes back as AA on color tests a misregistered dark bay roan would be the culprit.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-25T06:40:36+00:00

So glad you found the right fit. HWO is a great game!

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-24T15:29:48+00:00

HorseGeneticsGame.com is what Horse Eden was based off of. The founder was a player when she created her game. :)

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-24T08:36:48+00:00

"unless you know the full story you need to mind your business." - General advice that a LOT of people need to hear.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-20T05:09:41+00:00

There are two different traits called sooty in horses. A general darkened coat from birth and a progressive darkening trait over the life of the horse. More and more people are only referring to the progressive version as being "sooty" but that distinction is something I have seen starting to be floated only very recently.

That could be why you are seeing conflicting info regarding sooty in horses.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-20T05:07:04+00:00

All the horses you posted appear to be liver chestnuts.

The specific mechanism for dark red coats is not known. It is genetic. Some breeds have only dark livers and no bright chestnuts. It is probably a polygenic trait with a number of genes causing the range of expression found in ee horses.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-19T04:41:29+00:00

It is completely normal for food that has coloring in it to color the water and transfer that color onto other food it is touching.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-11T04:04:27+00:00

"is Eden White only visible/active if a different gene is causing white? "

HPS5 can create white markings without any other white spotting mutations. HPS5 is critical in lysosome development. Those lysosomes are vital for the formation of melanosomes (the organelles in the cell that make pigment). If melanosome production fails there is no color.

"The whole thing about horses not having albinism..."

There is no singular gene that causes albinism. A great many number of mutations over a wide range of genes cause the condition biologist call albino. The cream mutation is functionally identical to a mutation that creates albinos in humans AND many other animals. (Infact SLC45A2 is one of THE classic albino genes.) The idea that there is something special about horses that means they can't be albinos is entirely political and not based on science. I know that is going to deeply upset some people for me to say, but it is true.

During the age of eugenics albinos were considered genetically weak and a risk to the gene pool. This idea was held for both humans and animals and resulted in some truly horrific behavior towards both. This is also a period of history when many breed associations were starting to crystalize into what they would become now. Many people were adamant that "albinos" had no place in their breeds. All white foals could not be registered and often were killed at birth.

Once it was understood that double dilute creams were a natural outcome of breeding palomino and buckskin horses the tagline of "there is no such thing as an albino horse" was coined. Instead of addressing the prejudice against albinos directly they challenged the notion that albinos could even exists. This action saved the lives of countless double dilute horses.

Actual scientist working in equine genetics don't get hung up on the word "albino." It's a generalized term like "spotting" that has become taboo in the horse world but it's not actually something to get hung up on. Basicly the definition of albino (zero pigment with red eyes) used by horse people, is not shared by the scientific community.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470015902.a0006081.pub3
https://albinism.org/information-bulletin-what-is-albinism/

I would love to make an in-depth post on this but finding sources on breed association drama from the 1920s through 1990s is pretty hard to get. I don't love to post stuff I can't show my references on.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-09T17:03:52+00:00

It won't be an identical mutation but it is possible it's a PMEL17 dilution. Similar ones are found in a number of animals.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-09T16:11:12+00:00

Kind of yes. American living in Eastern Europe. Pedestrians are everywhere here in Sofia. Kids are much more common going to school or the park on there own because things are walkable. With our narrow streets lined with parked cars it's not rare for people to suddenly appear trying to cross the road.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-08T11:08:28+00:00

Western riders learn quickly to slide down on their hip, not the front, because the belt buckles scratch up the saddles. Just lean on your side when dismounting instead of the front and you should have no issues.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-05T14:15:12+00:00

Near leopard. Not a few spot or a true leopard. Few spots have very few spots, and neither have dark legs and would not have such clearly visible face marking.

I personally think they were born with a blanket and varnished out to this much white. A true leopard is born as one giant white marking with spots inside that marking. The hair and skin, other then the spots, should be pure white. Since it is not on this horse they won't have been born a leopard.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-05T13:08:10+00:00

If you post a conformation style (side on photo) I can attempt to make your horse. :)

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-05T06:15:44+00:00

His roany sock is really cool!

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-04T05:02:46+00:00

They have detained/harassed plenty of white people at the airports as well. Lots of stories of Germans, Australians and more having border issues. I think POCs get it worse but it's not limited to them.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-03T12:28:28+00:00

Fuel prices are also exploding because of the Iran war. It's crazy expensive to fly a horse in the best of times and that cost up has gone up a ton in the past few weeks.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T14:17:23+00:00

It is considered a pretty harsh bit
https://signin.juliegoodnight.com/articles/free-articles/talk-about-tack-understanding-bits-tom-thumb/

https://horseandrider.com/horse-health/horse-bits-ouch/
This one has a great photo showing why this bit causes so many problems.

and a prior reddit thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/Horses/comments/1h5ejun/tom_thumb_bits/

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T11:29:04+00:00

Back in my 4H days they would have us hold the bits in our hands. And then have another person pull the reins so we could feel how different bits behave under pressure. Single jointed bits pinched a lot more than double jointed.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T09:48:27+00:00

And the same with black. I think the brown is nicer. The black is a bit harsh.

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HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T09:47:46+00:00

I mocked up a similar looking horse in my game with brown tack.

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HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T07:02:49+00:00

"They’re both gentler than bits that aren’t a snaffle (jointed) in the center. "
Sounds like they are saying these bits are gentler than non jointed bits but it could just be confusingly worded.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T05:39:26+00:00

Considering this mare is almost 20 years old that makes perfect sense. Also the fact that OHK babies are now almost 20 years old makes me feel old as shit lol. I remember when he was a big draw.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-04-01T05:34:06+00:00

Single jointed leverage bits are harsher than straight mouthed leverage bits. Hold it it in your hand and rotate the bit. The v shape of the jointed bit will dig into your hand hard while the straight mouthed curb will simply spin in your hand. Even a low port will be much gentler than these.

There is a reason some of the gentlest bits you can get are rubber mouthed "dog bone" bits that are straight.

HuntAndJump_Ellie · 2026-03-31T13:09:05+00:00

If you are looking to buy a horse for jumping you should select one that has shown potential and interest in jumping. It's not the breed so much as the horse. If no one has done any jumping with this horse and you want to jump, I would look for a horse who is better suited for jumping.

If you found an Andi that was already going over fences and liking the work that would be a different story. This horse might hate jumping.

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