Lately I’ve been working my way through the colors section, providing new information and updated images. So far I’ve gotten through the solid colors and now it’s time for the white patterns.
White Patterns
There are a handful of white patterns that can affect the base colors as well as those affected by modifiers and dilutions (or even other white patterns). Today I want to share a little about the roan white pattern which is responsible for a brilliant rainbow of different horse hues.
Roan White Pattern
Roans patterns can affect any base color and are caused by white hairs growing mixed with the base coat. This can create a slightly mottled or even dappled look and changes with each shedding. Roan animals tend to grow darker with age and will always retain their base color in the mane, tail and points.
Roan Colors
The roans provide us perhaps the most magical colors, ranging from pink to blue to almost purple they have the rainbow covered. On a black base roan produces a grey to bluish coat with black points; on a chestnut a red to pinkish coat with red points; on a bay a red to pinkish coat with black points and on a seal brown a grey to bluish coat with black points and reddish soft spots.
The mane, tail and points of roan animals remain their base color, which is a distinguishing factor of the roan white pattern itself.
Learn More About Color
Be sure to visit the new and improved color section for more information about roan horses and stay tuned, next week we’ll take a look at the pinto white pattern.