Which horse color is characterized by a body color ranging from tan to reddish-brown?

The horse color characterized by a body color ranging from tan to reddish-brown is known as bay. This color is defined by a reddish-brown coat with darker points, such as the mane, tail, and lower legs. The distinguishing feature of a bay horse is that it has a solid body color while exhibiting these darker tones, which creates a contrast and enhances the overall appearance.

Bay horses can vary in shade, ranging from a lighter tan or light bay to a darker mahogany color. This range in color is an important aspect of their classification, as it distinguishes them from other colors like chestnut, which is a solid reddish color without the darker points, and sorrel, which is more uniformly light to medium reddish-brown without the contrast of darker areas.

Understanding these distinctions is essential for recognizing different horse colors in equine studies and practices.