Black

Base colour black is simply black on the 'E' or extension gene. Black is dominant to chestnut so EE is black, Ee is black and ee is chestnut. All horses will be one of these three combinations. This gene can tested for and the test can be used to see if a black based horse carries chestnut and also to identify black based horses that have been diluted or modified to an extent that it is no longer obvious what their base colour is. For example a buckskin is a black based horse modified/diluted by both cream and agouti (see cream and agouti pages for more info) Black foals are usually born anything from a silver grey colour to a mousy brown. Most colours are much better assessed once the foal has lost their first foal coat. All these pictures are of black based horses however most if not all will have some other genes at work as well. I tried to find pictures of black based gypsy horses with minimum effect from other colour patterns and modifiers. Quite tricky!! Donations of photos welcomed!

Black mare in the UK before going to the US Photo from Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses  Black mare with her black foal in the UK Photo from Rawlings Gypsy Cobs	The Dooley Horse is mostly black, the roaning in his flanks is most likely due to sabino Photo from  Black Forest Shires & Gypsy Horses  The gypsy horses don't often come all in black but I think you'll agree it's impressive when they do! Starbuck is from Gypsy Vanner Ranch Photo taken by Elizabeth from Mountain View Vanner Ranch
This colt is black. He is what is called a fading black. The silvery tail is probably caused by one of the sabino genes. This shade of black is often mistaken for the silver gene. Photo from Desert Jewel Gypsy Horses	Oliver is another gorgeous black stallion. Stands at Coates Gypsy Horses in the UK. Photo from Coates Gypsy Horses