HGG Community Forums

“Mushroom is a real homozygous recessive gene, found in the Shetland breed. The exact location is not known but they know roughly where it is located and there is now a test for the gene. The Mushroom gene appears to act only on red pigment and desaturates the color leaving a sepia hue to the coat. Manes and tails range from slightly diluted to near pure white. For a long time there was speculation if the gene was even real. The color is not quite cream, not quite dun, not quite silver. You must have two copies and visible "red" pigment for mushroom to show. (Available through some Roving Gene Sales)”

I got that out of the FAQ. It’s not listed in the genetics guide (that I could find, anyway). It is really popular with the Liver and Chocolate palomino breeders on here :)

Some examples:

Liver with mushroom


TF1 Vail


TF1 Anthems

Liver without mushroom


TF1 Black Gold Gift



TF1 Quasi

Chocolate palomino with mushroom


TF1 Pecos


TF1 Ostara

Chocolate palomino without mushroom


TF1 Dun Rider


TF1 Scatter

And for grins: a brindle with liver / chocolate and mushroom


TF1 Shanghai

Thank you! A subtle effect but very nice especially on liver and chocolate.