Pearl gene

The existence of the pearl gene in Quarter Horses and Paints is probably because these breeds have some Iberian ancestors.

If there is only one copy of the gene, it has no effect on black, bay or chestnut horses.

A pseudo-double dilute will often have pale skin and blue or green eyes.

Pearl is found at SLC45A2 (also called MATP), the same locus as cream, sunshine, and snowdrop.

[5][6][7] In the American Paint Horse breed, the dilution was called the "Barlink factor" because it was linked to a mare named My Tontime,[8] and her grandson, the stallion Barlink Macho Man, a chestnut splashed white.