Roan horses have otherwise solid colored coats, but with white hairs interspersed. The white hairs
are not actual spots, but single white hairs mixed with the darker coat color. You'll find descriptions
and pictures of some common roan colors below.
The Roan Gene can be applied to any color of horse. The most
common are Red Roans, Bay Roans and Blue Roans. There are also Palomino
Roans, Red Dun Roans, Dun Roans, Buckskin Roans, etc. The Roan gene adds
white hairs into the body of the horse. The legs and head are not
affected and will remain darker then the body. The mane and tail are
usually not affected, but some may have some white hairs mixed in.
Horse: Rather Regal
© Tammy Rather
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Bay Roan:
A Bay Roan is a horse with a bay coat and the roan gene. The roan gene
gives the horse interspersed white hairs on his body. The Bay roan sometimes looks
very similar to a red roan or a blue roan.
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Red Roan:
A Red Roan (sometimes called "Strawberry Roan") is a chestnut or sorrel horse with the roan gene.
The roan gene gives the horse interspersed white hairs on his body.
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Blue Roan:
A Blue Roan is a black horse with the roan gene. The roan gene gives the horse
interspersed white hairs on his body. The horse to the left is a blue roan.
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Roan Spots:
Some horses do not have a roan color over their entire body, but only have roan spots or other roan-like markings.
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