DUN BREED HISTORY

The whole group of primitive colors is most associated with primitive or rugged breeds. They are a consistent feature of the Tarpan (grullo), Sorraia, Dulmen and Przewalski's horse (zebra duns), all of which are very wild and primitive. Line-backed Duns also occur in highly developed and specialized breeds. As an example, the Fjord's dun color is a breed trait. Other breed examples include those of Spanish ancestry from North and South America. This color is rare in Spain today, where it originated. This color is noticeably absent in Thoroughbred and Arabian breeds.

"The modern buckskin, (dun), technically a color breed, is actually a descendant from ancient time, his color being an indication of a strong heritage. In the West, horses of the Buckskin, Dun, Red Dun and Grulla hues trace to the Mustang - Spanish Barb descendants which originated in Spain as the Sorraia. Other Buckskins brought to this country can be traced to the Norwegian Dun, descendants of the nearly extinct Tarpan horses. The flourishing number of Buckskin horses found today are the strongest living descendants of the ancestral breeds. Along with a mixture of other bloods, Buckskins can be found in all breed types." www.americanbuckskin.org

DUN BREED COLOR ORGANIZATIONS

The American Buckskin Registry Association

The Buckskin, Grulla, and Red Dun takes it’s deserving place in horsedom, wearing it’s crown in regal pride. Shown in a hard luck horseshoe denoting the struggle for survival the breed has endured through neglect, and abuse, yet regularly producing it’s own color (the original color of nearly every known breed of horse today). Held together by this strength, a golden chain, “B-U-C-K-S-K-I-N-S” of nine links, alloyed together with “G-R-U-L-L-A” and “D-U-N” to restore, nurture, treasure and become ever stronger. The banner of American Buckskins rightfully continues to fly." http://www.americanbuckskin.org/abra/

International Buckskin Horse Association

"The IBHA was incorporated in 1971 to register, preserve the pedigree and promote the activity of Buckskin, Dun , Red Dun, and Grulla Horses. IBHA has proven to be the largest and most progressive registry in the world for these horses. By creating interests and demands through nation, state, family and individual activities, the marketability of IBHA registered horses has constantly increased. Activities are promoted through state chartered associations and national advertising. IBHA maintains permanent horse show records and pedigrees." These appear mainly as stock type horse breeds.

Here are the color descriptions the IBHA allow for registration (note the descriptions):

• Buckskin (not a Dun)
  A true colored buckskin should be the color of tanned deerhide with black points. Shades may vary from yellow to dark gold. Points (mane, tail, legs) can be dark brown or black. Buckskin is clean of any smuttiness. Guard hairs which are buckskin colored grow through the body coat up over the base of the mane and tail.
• Dun
  Dun is an intense color with a hide that has an abundance of pigment in the hairs. The dun color is a duller shade than buckskin and may have a smutty appearance. Most dun horses have dark points of brown or black. Dun horses sport the "dun factor" points which include dorsal and shoulder stripes, leg barring, etc.
• Grulla
  Grulla is also an intense color. The body color can be mouse, blue, dove or slate colored, with dark sepia to black points. Grulla (pronounced grew-yah) has no white hairs mixed in the body hairs. Grulla horses have the dorsal and shoulder stripes, and leg barring.
• Red Dun
  The Red Dun will vary in shades of red, in the range of peach to copper to rich red. In all shades, the accompanying points will be darker red or chestnut and be in contrast to a lighter body color. Red Dun must have a definite dorsal stripe to be eligible. The dorsal stripe will usually be dark red and predominant. Leg barring and shoulder stripes are common. Horses with faint dorsal stripes that do not appear on photos may be denied registration.
• Brindle Dun
  A different and unique body coloration with stripes appearing over the barrel of the body and most, if not all, the dun factor characteristics. Brindle Duns show up in the Netherlands and they are referred to as an ancient dun color. The peculiar body markings can appear in the form of tear drops or zebra stripes.

More history will be added to this section in the future.