Roan
In roan, white and coloured hairs mix on the body, while head and legs stay coloured.
What does this colour look like?
Evenly mixed white and coloured hairs on the barrel, with a coloured (darker) head, lower legs, mane and tail. Unlike grey it does not change with age. Corn marks (small coloured spots on scars) are typical.
- Body
- mixed white + coloured
- Mane and tail
- coloured (undiluted)
- Legs
- coloured
- Skin
- dark
- Eyes
- brown
How does this colour arise?
Roan mixes white hairs through the coat of the barrel, but the head and legs stay dark and it lasts for life.
More about the genetics
Classic roan is dominant (Rn). The white hairs are intermixed, not greying: a roan stays about the same shade all its life. On a bay base it is bay/red roan, on black blue roan, on chestnut (strawberry/red) roan.
What is this colour often confused with?
- Grey
A grey turns whiter year after year, whatever colour it was born.
- Blue roan
Roan on a black base: a blue-grey barrel with a black head and legs.
- Rabicano
Scattered white hairs, mainly at the tail base and flanks, not over the whole body.
- Varnish roan
An appaloosa form of roaning with dark varnish marks on the bony points.
Does the colour change?
Key feature: does NOT change with age (unlike grey). Can look a bit lighter/darker by season.
Which breeds show this colour?
Discover more
Sources: UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory · Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell).