Roan horses are unique and beautiful horses that are instantly recognizable by their distinct coloration. Many roan variations exist, which can lead to confusion regarding what roan is. It’s not a breed of horse, but rather a type of coloration that can appear on almost any horse. Roan can be combined with many other colors, such as red, bay, and blue, and there are also less common combinations, like red dun roans and palomino roans.
What Is Roan?
Roan horses have coats that are a solid color with many white hairs distributed throughout. Their legs and head are devoid of white hairs, only showing the horse’s base color. Generally, the mane and tail are also unaffected, though sometimes white hairs can be mixed in. Since roan coloration is caused by the roan gene, it can show up in any breed of horse.
The 4 Typical Roan Colors
Since the defining characteristic of roan coloration is the white hairs that are interspersed through the horse’s base color, there must always be a base color to combine with the white hairs. This means there are many roan variations, though these are the most common ones.
1. Bay Roan
A bay-colored horse with the roan gene will be a bay roan. They often look similar to red or blue roans.
2. Red Roan
Also known as a strawberry roan horse, red roans have a chestnut or sorrel base color paired with the roan gene.
3. Blue Roan
Black horses with the roan gene become blue roans. They’re still black, but the white hairs subdue the hue and make for a color that appears almost blue.
4. Roan Spots
Not every horse with the roan gene will have white hairs on its whole body. Some roan horses only have roan spots, small patches where white hairs are spread throughout.
Less Common Roans
The roans listed so far are the most common roan combinations. However, the roan gene can appear in horses with any base color, making for many more color combinations, including:
- Red Dun Roans
- Buckskin Roans
- Dun Roans
- Palomino Roans
Conclusion
Roan isn’t a color on its own, and it’s not a particular breed of horse. Instead, the roan gene causes there to be many individual white hairs dispersed throughout the base color. This gene can appear in horses of any breed with any base color, making for many unique and striking combinations.
Related Reads:
- Georgian Grande Horse: Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits
- 29 Most Common Horse Colors & Coat Patterns
Featured Image Credit: HTurner, Shutterstock
