Modifier: Flaxen

Occurs as: __ ff | __ nf ( flaxen carrier )
 ​ Flaxen is a natural modifier gene in Nordanner. A modifier is a gene which 'modifies' the appearance of a horse, but have different effects than dilutes. Modifiers usually don't change the base coat color, or affect it very little -- instead, they add a different appearance to the underlying base. 
Flaxen is a modifier gene that creates a lightening of the mane and tail on chestnut-based horses.
Flaxen is a homozygous recessive or "double-recessive" gene, meaning that there must be two copies in order for it to present. When there is only one allele present, it will not alter the mane and tail, and the horse will have ( flaxen carrier ) in their phenotype. Additionally, flaxen only affects horses with a chestnut base. Horses with a black or bay base will also have ( flaxen carrier ) in their phenotype. 
This gene does not change the base coat color of the horse, but instead creates an effect on top of it.

Horses with this gene CAN:
  • Lighten the mane and tail of a chestnut-based horse. Lightening may range from slightly lighter than the base coat in the darkest expression, to white at the lightest expression.
  • Optionally present a gradient in the mane and tail, with the darkest color at the roots of the hair, transitioning to a much lighter color at the ends. 
  • Optionally present as ginger-toned. 
  • Appear under natural and genetic white. 
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Horses with this gene CANNOT:
  • Affect black or bay-based horses, or in nf form. The phenotype in such horses will read as ( flaxen carrier ). 
  • Affect the base coat of the horse, as this gene only affects the mane and tail of the horse. The chestnut base must still adhere to the normal rules for chestnut. 
  • Appear over mutations, breedable potions, or anomalies as it is a base coat modifier. 
  • Have eye color changes as a result of flaxen. 
The examples below show only a few of the accepted presentations, for you to get an idea of the range of presentations possible with flaxen. 
Please note: Nordanner genes may simplify certain genes from real life. Genes may not present in Nordanner the way they do in real life or in other ARPG breeds, and are as close to being realistic as possible while still maintaining standards within the breed. ​