Fact check: Are horses blue

1. Summary of the results

The scientific evidence overwhelmingly confirms that horses are not blue. Multiple comprehensive genetic studies examining equine coat color variations consistently document standard horse colors including black, bay, chestnut, gray, and various dilution patterns, but none identify blue as a naturally occurring horse coat color ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

Horse coat colors are determined by specific genetic factors involving melanin pigments - eumelanin (producing black/brown colors) and pheomelanin (producing red/yellow colors) ^[1]. Research spanning over a century of coat color genetics has documented numerous variations and patterns, yet blue remains absent from all scientific classifications ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about horse color perception capabilities. While horses themselves are not blue, research reveals that horses have dichromatic color vision and can actually see blues and yellows, though they cannot perceive reds and greens ^{[5] [6]}. This creates an interesting distinction between what colors horses can be versus what colors they can perceive.

Additionally, behavioral studies show that horses demonstrate color preferences, specifically showing preference for turquoise or light blue water buckets ^[7]. This suggests that while horses are not blue themselves, they may be attracted to blue objects in their environment.

The question also omits consideration of:

• Artificial coloring: While not naturally blue, horses could theoretically be dyed or painted blue for artistic or entertainment purposes
• Lighting conditions: Certain lighting or photographic effects might make horses appear blue
• Breed variations: Some horses have coats that might appear bluish-gray under certain conditions, though these are classified as gray, not blue

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question "are horses blue" appears to be either:

• A test question designed to verify the fact-checking system's accuracy with an obviously false premise
• Based on misconceptions about horse coat colors, possibly from fictional media or artistic representations
• Confusion between horses' ability to see blue colors versus being blue themselves

There is no evidence of deliberate misinformation, as the question is straightforward. However, anyone promoting the idea that horses are naturally blue would be spreading factually incorrect information that contradicts decades of established genetic and veterinary science ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.