Horses have accompanied human beings for centuries, being an important part of the development of our societies. However, despite having shared so much with them, we still have a lot to learn about the different horse breeds that exist today. Precisely for this reason we want to invite you to learn more about one of the most admired equines in the world: the chestnut horse In this tab on our site, we will tell you all about the origin, the outstanding characteristics and the care that chestnut horses need to maintain their good he alth.
Origin of the sorrel horse
It is still very common to hear mistaken references to the sorrel horse as an equine breed. However, all those reddish-colored individuals are called chestnut horses, that is, they have the so-called "chestnut coat" The term "chestnut" refers to the color of the horse's coat, and not its breed. In fact, it is possible to find chestnut horses of various breeds, with very different origins, physical characteristics and temperaments.
The striking reddish hue of the sorrel horse is due to the action of a recessive allele that 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 (having both alleles the same "ee").
However, sorrel horses can display different intensities and patterns on their coat. This is because the coloration and distribution of the reddish color in the horse's coat depends on several genetic factors, being mainly associated with the combination of additional alleles that act on the fundamental pair "ee" that produces the basic red color.
Physical characteristics of the sorrel horse
Red is one of the basic colors in the coat of horses, so it can be found in all equine breeds. Therefore, a enormous morphological variety is observed among the chestnut horses. They generally have brown eyes, although white-faced chestnuts (with white patches covering their eyelids) may show blue eyes.
Likewise, the physical feature that characterizes all these horses is the striking chestnut coat. But even in its mantle, it is possible to observe a great diversity among the sorrel specimens. The hairs that make up the base of its body can show different intensities of red, ranging from reddish brown to shades of dark brown and cinnamonThe mane and tail can also be red, blonde or whitish, but they must never show black. It is also possible to find individuals with white spots on their body.
Depending on the intensities and distribution of the reddish color in its coat, we can speak of different types or varieties of chestnut horse. Next, we summarize the 7 types of chestnut horse most outstanding in the world:
- Common (or typical) chestnut horse: also known as Red Chestnut, it is characterized by having the 'par excellence' chestnut coat that exhibits a solid reddish color throughout its body.
- Sorrel Horse Sorrel: it is the most similar specimen to the common sorrel, whose main characteristic is to have hairs of the same color on its body, mane and tail. Its fur also usually has a less intense shade of red than the typical sorrel, and may even highlight some golden reflections.
- Light chestnut horse: it is the variety that shows the clearest coat, with a predominance of brown hairs. In addition to genetics, diet can influence the intensity of the color of their fur.
- Roasted sorrel horse: also known as Dark Chestnut or Liver Chestnut, it is characterized by a dark brown coat with reddish reflections, being able to be confused eventually with the chocolate bay.
- Caballo alazán Black Liver Chestnut: It is very similar to tan, with a solid dark brown coat, but its mane and tail are notably more reddish, and may even show orange reflections.
- Black Sorrel Horse: Despite the name, its coat is not black, but rather shows a shade very similar to tan, with bronze reflections spread throughout its body.
- Blond chestnut horse: Known as Blond chestnut, it is characterized by having a blond and even slightly whitened tail and mane. In its body, shades of brown or light reddish generally predominate.
Sorrel Character
As with physical traits, the character of chestnut horses can vary significantly depending on breed, lineage, education and environment of each individual. Therefore, it is not possible to define a single temperament for the sorrel horse.
However, these beautiful horses will logically show some traits that characterize horses. For example, they will highlight their great courage, high energy, privileged intelligence and, when well stimulated, they will give us a remarkable predisposition for learning, which will facilitate their training for different purposes.
When properly cared for and live in a positive environment, sorrel horses will tend to show balanced and friendly behavior, being able to get along with other animals and enjoy a bond of mutual trust with their handlers and riders.
Sorrel horse care
The sorrel horse should receive all the essential care for horses in order to fully develop its physical, cognitive and emotional abilities. Among them, it will be essential to provide a routine of grooming and hygiene to your horse, brushing his chestnut coat daily and cleaning his hooves at least once a day.
Depending on the conditions and the type of activity or training you do with your sorrel horse, it may be necessary to give him a shower or, at least, clean his legs to prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating on his skin and fur. If you choose to completely bathe your horse, do not forget to use suitable products for his hygiene and take special care when washing him near his eyes and the mucous membranes of his nose and mouth.
A complete and balanced nutrition will be another essential care for the chestnut horse, since its diet must meet its nutritional needs at each stage of its life. Like all herbivorous animals, horse's diet should be based on the consumption of food of plant originYour sorrel 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 advised that you moderately consume vegetables that are good for your he alth, such as potatoes, alfalfa and carrots.
How much food should a horse eat per day? Generally, it is estimated that a horse needs to consume 1 kg of food for every 10 kg of its body weight. However, it is worth remembering that newborn horses are lactating and mother's milk is the only food capable of fully supplying their nutritional requirements, since their body is not yet capable of digesting other foods.
To complement the nutrition of your sorrel horse, it is also recommended to give them s alt stones in a moderate way, considering that they are excellent sources of minerals, mainly calcium and vitamins that are essential to strengthen the immune system of the horses. Last but not least, chestnut horses need to have their body and mind stimulated daily, since they have great energy and a privileged intelligence.
Sorrel Horse He alth
Sorrel horses usually boast excellent physical resistance and optimal he alth. However, they can be affected by several common horse diseases, such as colic, tetanus and equine influenza. In addition, they will need to have a hygiene routine in their environment and a good grooming routine to prevent skin problems, such as dermatitis, scabies or ringworm.
Of course, your horse will need to receive adequate preventive medicine to strengthen its immune system and prevent its he alth from being affected by numerous disease or parasite infestation. For this reason, remember to carry out preventive consultations every six months with a specialized veterinarian, and keep your horse's deworming and vaccinations up to date.
