Shimmer

Shimmer switch and expression

Shimmer is a complex combination of modifier genes, where the switch gene (SH) decides if shimmer shows or not, and the expression genes (R/r, J/j, S/s) determines the colors of the shimmer. For shimmer to show, one or two copies of shimmer is required (SHSH or SHsh) and at least one expression gene.

Expression genes are noted as uppercase when active, and lowercase when not active. For example in order for a ruby shimmer to show, the ruby gene has to be RR or Rr, while rr doesn't produce any ruby shimmer.

If a horse doesn't have any shimmer or any expression genes (shsh(rr/jj/ss)) it can be completely omitted from the genotype. That means all genotypes without any switch or expression genes are shsh(rr/jj/ss) by default (and thus doesn't have to be listed in the genotype).

If a horse has either switch or expression genes, but not both, e.g. SHSH(rr/jj/ss) (switch but no expression) or shsh(Rr/JJ/ss) (expression but no switch), it will not show any shimmer at all, and the phenotype will describe it as “carries shimmer”.

Expression combinations

Shimmer expression genes consist of Ruby (RR, Rr, rr), Jade (JJ, Jj, jj), and Sapphire (SS, Ss, ss). Together they can create a total of 7 different combinations:

Ruby - (R_/jj/ss). Has one or two copies of R only.

Jade - (rr/J_/ss). Has one or two copies of J only.

Sapphire - (rr/jj/S_). Has one or two copies of S only.

Ember (Ruby + Jade) - (R_/J_/ss). Has one or two copies of both R and J.

Orchid (Ruby + Sapphire) - (R_/jj/S_). Has one or two copies of both R and S.

Lagoon (Jade + Sapphire) - (rr/J_/S_). Has one or two copies of both J and S.

Prismatic (Ruby + Jade + Sapphire) - (R_/J_/S_). Has one or two copies of all 3 expression genes.

Appearance

Shimmer appears primarily by changing the color of the base coat and/or other genes and patterns if any are present. If no markings or patterns are present then shimmer can not create patterns/markings on its own, it can only fully or partially(gradiented) colour the base coat.

If shimmer affects white markings then the white markings will still be lighter than the base coat, and can be a pastel version of that shimmer color.

The areas affected by shimmer can optionally have a glittery/sparkly effect.

Shimmer is always limited in what color it can display, for example ruby shimmer can only cause red (in any brightness or saturation of red). You can have a pastel shimmer horse even if no dilutes are present, or vice versa - dark saturated shimmer is possible even on a cremello champagne.

Shimmer can optionally affect mane and tail, and can optionally affect eye-color and/or horn and hoof color (still limited to the color of shimmer that is present)

Ruby color range

The primary color of ruby is red, but it can also have hints of pink and orange. Ruby shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark (deep red) or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Jade color range

The primary color of jade is green, but it can also have hints of lime and teal. Jade shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark (deep green) or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Sapphire color range

The primary color of sapphire is blue, but it can also have hints of teal and purple. Sapphire shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark (deep blue) or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Ember color range

The primary color of ember is yellow and orange, and it can optionally include all shades of ruby as well as jade. Including ruby and/or jade colors is optional, some shade of yellow or orange should always be present. Ember shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Orchid color range

The primary color of orchid is purple and magenta, and it can optionally include all shades of ruby as well as sapphire. Including ruby and/or sapphire colors is optional, some shade of purple or magenta should always be present. Orchid shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Lagoon color range

The primary color of lagoon is cyan and teal, and it can optionally include all shades of jade as well as sapphire. Including jade and/or sapphire colors is optional, some shade of cyan or teal should always be present. Lagoon shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.

Prismatic color range

Prismatic shimmer has no defined primary color, it can be any shade of ruby, jade, and sapphire, and include anywhere from 1 to any number of colors. Prismatic shimmer can be saturated or desaturated, dark or light (pastel), as well as a mix of all.