Color Question - What Causes Lacing? *pics*

[gaitedincali]

It’s a shetland, not a sporthorse, but I know we have some very color knowledgeable folks on here so I thought I’d ask.

Do we have any idea what causes lacing?

My 10mo bay tobiano shetland colt is starting to develop lacing on his back as his winter coat comes in. No lacing on either parent’s side as far back as I can trace with clear pictures - 3 generations. No roan or dilutions possible. He has never suffered from any kind of fungal infection or rain rot. He was body-clipped approx. 2 months ago and there were no white hairs on his back at that time.

It has me curious about where it comes from and what triggered it.

[JB]

Do you mean actual lacing, or do you mean “ghosting” around his white spots? The latter is a factor of Tobiano. The former, which is what I assume you are talking about, has unknown genetic causes.

Now, it’s mandatory to see a picture

[gaitedincali]

Actual lacing, in the the classic “giraffe pattern.” I’m going to try for better pics tomorrow after a bath.

[gaitedincali]

Some pictures-

Close up of the lacing itself-
https://sphotos-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/q71/s720x720/944776_420772134709195_1731080642_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/p206x206/1000336_420776211375454_2064910352_n.jpg

Side shots, can barely see a bit of it-
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1001955_420771891375886_211602690_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1174981_420771148042627_1223147241_n.jpg

If it matters…
Dam-
https://sphotos-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/551718_232653180187759_1010611624_n.jpg

Sire-
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/247343_4638382766965_991956205_n.jpg

[JB]

OOOOOO that is awesome!!! Love it!

Yeah, it doesn’t have any known testable component, though I think it’s thought to be recessive, as explained by its tendency to pop out of 2 non-laced parents.

[JB]

Oh, and TOTAL drool-fest on the foal and the parents! Not just color, but those are NICE horses.

[Sugarbrook]

All I can say about this foal’s color is I LOVE IT!!!

[Polydor]

Very cool! Love the colour and he’s very cute!

P.

[Jealoushe]

Nice pony…not anything like the Shetlands I know lol

[Donkaloosa]

Lacing, no doubt about it, and yes, most likely from recessive genes. But that is one cute baby and the lacing just makes him cuter!