Appearance
Traditionally, two Tarpan subtypes have been proposed, the Forest Tarpan and Steppe Tarpan, although there seems to be only minor differences in type. Therefore, the general view is that there was only one subspecies, the Tarpan, Equus ferus ferus. The last individual, which died in captivity in 1909, was between 140 and 145 centimetres (55 and 57 in) tall at the shoulders, had a thick falling mane, a grullo coat colour, dark legs, and primitive markings, including a dorsal stripe and shoulder stripes.
A number of genotypes have been identified within European wild horses from the Pleistocene and Holocene; their color genes including those creating bay, black and leopard spotting are known to be present in the wild horse population in Europe. The dun gene, a dilution gene seen in the Przewalski horse which also creates the grullo or "blue dun" coat, seen in the Konik has genetic markers identified in modern horses, but has not yet been studied in European wild horses.
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