All About Dun Factor (WIP)

This section will cover known information on Dun Factor Genes. Created by Cheshire Farms (Bluegrass Server).

What is Dun Factor Promoter?
Red Based Coats + DFP1
Agouti Based Coats + DFP1
Black Based Coats + DFP1
Shade Expression + DFP2
Non-Dun 1 and Dun Factor

What is Dun Factor Promoter?

This article will discuss the basics of Dun Factor Promoter, what it is and how it works in game.

Proposed Talking Points

In Game Vocabulary
The Dun Factor Genes
Restrictions & Availability
Rules of Dun Factor

In Game Vocabulary

Allele: It is a variant, or mutation, to a gene (e.g., DFP1 and DFP2 are Alleles of the Dun Factor Promoter Gene). Rarely used in H&J language, but seen in this article.

Co-Dominate: When two alleles are expressed at the same time (i.e., DFP1/DFP2 will show both patterns at the same time).

Gene: A section of DNA that codes for a specific inheritance (e.g., Dun Factor Promoter is the Gene). For the purpose of H&J, Alleles are called Genes. Genes are what give our horses a variety of colors and patterns.

Gene Modification Treatment: An in-game service that allows you to see and modify most of your Horses Genes.

Heterozygous: One copy of an Allele (i.e., DFP1/-). See this section for more information.

Homozygous: Two copies of the same Allele (i.e., DFP1/DFP1). See this section for more information.

Incomplete Dominant: Two copies of a Gene will have greater expression than one copy of a Gene (i.e., DFP2/DFP2 is more expressive than DFP2/-).

Pigment Density: How concentrated (i.g., dark) a horses color is. Black is more dense than Bay, and Bay is more dense than Chestnut.

Recessive: Will only show the effect when two copies (i.e., Homozygous) of the Allele are present.

The Dun Factor Genes

Liver Dun with DFP1/DFP1

Brown Dun with DFP1/DFP2

Brown Dun with DFP2/DFP2

Dun Factor Promoter 1 (DFP1) was introduced to the game in June 2020, and Dun Factor Promoter 2 (DFP2) was added that following October. These genes work together to change the appearance of Dun (D) by adding drippy primitive-like Brindle markings.

The expression of Dun Factor is affected by Pigment Density, meaning the more pigment a horse has the stronger the expression. Genes like Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin will increase expression, while genes like Cream and Mushroom will reduce it.

DFP1 is Recessive and Co-Dominant, meaning DPF1 needs to be Homozygous to be expressed, or it needs to be paired with DFP2 for an even louder expression. If we look at the photos above, the horse on the left is homozygous for DFP1, and has a full body expression of thin brindle-like markings. While the horse on the right looks like chocolate sauce was drizzled down their back, but is missing the brindle-like markings of DFP1. The horse in the middle is a combination of DFP1 and DFP2, and we can see the result of both Alleles.

Restrictions & Availability

As of July 2024, Dun Factor Promoter 1 and Dun Factor Promoter 2 were restricted genes. Orange Genes can only be purchased privately in a Chatroom or in an Auction, Purple Genes require a gene license to purchase.

There was some discussion in July about removing Dun Factor Promoter 1 from Orange restriction, but I'm not sure if this will happen it not.

DPF1 is available to the public, and doesn't require a Gene License to own or breed, unlike DFP2 which does require license. Year round you can purchase a DFP2 gene license from the sales page ($22.50 USD).

Another way to get either gene, is when they come up in Random Gene Sales. Twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th, the sales for genes will change.

You can also have the chance to buy DFP1 and DFP2 on the GMT page during special sales around June and December. They typically cost 15-20 GMTs depending on the gene.

Rules of Dun Factor

Dun Factor Promoter alters the appearence of the Dun, so Dun (D) must be present.
1. Dun Factor Promoter will also work with the Onyx Fantasy gene.

Red Based Coats + DFP1

How Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin influence shade and expression of DFP1 on Red Based Coats.

Red Dun Brindle (e/e, A/A, D/-, DFP1/DFP1)

Looking at the chart below, as we add darkening genes like Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin, the horses coat becomes darker and the Dun Factor markings become more expressed.

Examples of Darkening Genes

no modifiers

with Sty/-

with Sty/Sty

with DP/-

with DP/DP

with Sty/-, DP/-

with Sty/Sty, DP/-

with Sty/Sty, DP/DP

Red Dun Brindle with Sooty Plus (S+)

Sooty Plus (S+) shifts around pigment to give a dappled look. This pigment shift, while darkening the horse, can distort the appearance of Dun Factor, in some colors making it almost invisible to see.

Examples of Sooty +

with S+/-

with S+/Sty

with S+/S+, DP/-

with S+/S+, DP/SP

Red Dun Brindle with Pangare Plus (P+)

Pangare Plus (P+) lightens the soft points of a horse, covering up some of the expression of Dun Factor.

Examples of P+

with P+/-

with P+/P+

Red Dun Brindle with Dilution Genes

Diluting genes change the intensity of pigment on a horse. This weakens the expression of Dun Factor, and in some cases it can be invisible.

Examples of Dilution Genes

with Cr/-

with Prl/Prl

with Ch/-

with mu/mu

Agouti Based Coats + DFP1

How Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin influence shade and expression of DFP1 on Bay and Brown Based Coats.

Bay Dun Brindle (E/e, A/A, D/-, DFP1/DFP1)

Looking at the chart below, as we add darkening genes like Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin, the horses coat becomes darker and the Dun Factor markings become more expressed. However, if it becomes too dark, the Dun Factor begins to get lost due to the Dappling caused by having 3 or more Darkening Genes.

Examples of Darkening Genes

no modifiers

with Sty/-

with Sty/Sty

with DP/-

with DP/DP

with Sty/-, DP/DP

with Sty/Sty, DP/-

with Sty/Sty, DP/DP

Bay Dun Brindle with Sooty Plus (S+)

Sooty Plus (S+) shifts around pigment to give a dappled look. This pigment shift, while darkening the horse, can distort the appearance of Dun Factor.

Examples of Sooty +

with S+/S+

with S+/S+, DP/DP

Bay Dun Brindle with Pangare Plus (P+)

Pangare Plus (P+) lightens the soft points of a horse, covering up some of the expression of Dun Factor.

Examples of P+

with P+/-

with Sty/-, DP/-, P+/-

Bay Dun Brindle with Dilution Genes

Diluting genes change the intensity of pigment on a horse. This weakens the expression of Dun Factor, and in some cases it can be invisible.

Examples of Dilution Genes

with Sty/-, DP/-, Cr/-

with Sty/-, DP/-, Ch/-

with Sty/-, DP/-, Prl/Prl

with Sty/-, DP/-, Z/-

Black Based Coats + DFP1

How Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin influence shade and expression of DFP1 on Black Based Coats.

Grullo Dun Brindle (E/e, a/a, D/-, DFP1/DFP1)

Unlike Chestnut and Bay based horses, Black doesn't react with Darkening Genes. So you wont see a color shift when adding Sooty, Dense Pheomelanin, or Sooty Plus. However you can get some variation using the Reroll option on the horses page. As you can see below, Dun Factor has a hard time showing up on Grullo horses. Black Based Dun horses are one of the less dynamic colors in the game.

Examples of Reroll Images

Grullo Dun Brindle with Pangare Plus (P+)

Pangare Plus (P+) lightens the soft points of a horse, covering up some of the expression of Dun Factor.

Examples of P+

with P+/-

with P+/P+

Grullo Dun Brindle with Dilution Genes

Diluting genes change the intensity of pigment on a horse. However unlike on Chestnut and Bay bases, Black based horses with Dun Factor and Dilution genes look just as bold as they do without dilution genes. In some cases, they Dun Factor markings look even stronger when there are multiple dilutions. This is only unique to Black Based horses, and not on Chestnuts and Bays/Browns. Champagnes however get reverse dappling, and dappling can distort the Dun Factor markings.

Examples of Dilution Genes

with Cr/-

with Ch/-

with Z/-

with Cr/-, Z/-

Shade Expression + DFP2

How Sooty and Dense Pheomelanin influence the appearence of Dun Factor 2 on base colors.

Non-Dun 1 and Dun Factor

We take a look at how Non-Dun 1 (nd1) works with Dun Factor Promoter Genes.