1. WHO'S THE DUNNEST OF THEM ALL?
The Carter Reservoir Registry is offering a DUN FACTOR CHALLENGE to all dun-colored mustangs at Expo this year.
What's Dun Factor? Dun is a color modifying gene that produces exotic effects that include:
- "Primitive" Markings:
- dorsal stripe
- "zebra stripes" on legs
- dark ear tips
- shoulder bars
- "cobwebbing" on chest
- dark face with diluted body color (except for the "primitive markings" areas)
- bi-colored mane and tail
People often refer to dun's "primitive markings" - because the "primitive" Przewalski's Horse has these markings.
The Dun coloring gene came to America with the Spanish Conquistadors, and many of the mustang herds known for Spanish ancestry - like the Kiger, Carter Reservoir, Sulphur, Pryor Mountain, etc., include individuals with exceptionally sharp, clear dun factor markings.
So who's the dunnest of them all? Enter your dun beauty. Mustangs from any herd area are welcome! Since the dun gene acts on all color bases, eligible colors include red dun, claybank, grullo/grulla, bay ("zebra" or "classic") dun, dunalino (palomino with dun factor), "dunskin" (buckskin dun), and it may occur with any other color gene - including roan, the various paint/pinto pattterns, creme, champagne, etc. - if it has dun factor coloring, it's eligible for this fun contest! Prizes are sponsored by Jona Kalayjian of the Carter Reservoir RegistrySince the presence of white is irrelevant to the presence of dun factor markings, it will not be discriminated against.
In the case of animals with equal quality of markings, preference will go to those with desireable body structure (conformation) and good behavior/ease of handling.
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