All of the following are characteristics of a brown horse EXCEPT:

A brown horse is typically characterized by its rich, dark brown coat, which can vary in shade but is distinct from other colors. The dark mane and tail of a brown horse complement its coat color, reinforcing the overall appearance of the horse. Additionally, brown horses commonly have dark skin, which adds to their contrast and visual appeal.

Light points, however, are not a typical characteristic of brown horses. Light points refer to markings that are lighter than the base coat color, often found in breeds and colors such as bay horses, which have a red or mahogany body and lighter lower legs or facial markings. In contrast, a brown horse maintains a more uniform coloration without such lighter contrasting points. Therefore, recognizing the standard characteristics of a brown horse involves acknowledging that light points would not belong to this description, making it the exception among the listed attributes.