#roaning

there are three types of "spots": "snowcap", "leopard", and "snowflake". these are created by the pattern genes SC/sc, LP/lp, and SN/sn

leopard: levels of expression

Left: minimal leopard (black + lp/LP) | Middle: semi-leopard (black + LP/lp) | Right: full leopard (dark bay + LP/LP)

false semi-leopard (bay + LP/lp + LP/LP, codominant "semi-" and "full-leopard" genes)

snowcap: levels of expression

Left: minimal snowcap (chestnut + sc/SC) | Middle: varnish snowcap (black + roan + SC/sc) | Right: maximal snowcap (chestnut + SC/SC)

Left: varnish false snowcap (chestnut + roan + sc/SC, codominant "varnish roan" and "minimal snowcap" genes) | Right: irregular false snowcap (bay + dun + SC/sc + LP/lp, codominant "leopard" and "snowcap" genes

snowflake: levels of expression

Left: minimal snowflake (chesnut + creme [half expression] + sn/SN) | Middle: snowflake (dark bay + grey [half expression] + SN/sn) | Right: maximal snowflake (bay + SN/SN)

Left: "bend or", "grease spots", or reverse "birdcatcher" spots (palomino + sn/SN + dark bay) | Right: "birdcatcher" spots (liver chestnut + sn/SN)

OTHER LESSONS

solids

tobianos

overos

roans

misc

The roan coat pattern is created by the gene RO/ro, and is essentially a mixing in of white hairs into a regular coat. Sometimes, due to genetic mutation, it decides to manifest itself into interesting patterns. This lesson will go over everything you need to know about roans!

Roan colors:

Left: bay roan or purple roan (cherry bay + RO/ro) | Middle: red roan or strawberry roan (chestnut + RO/ro) | Right: blue roan (black + RO/ro)

Levels of roaning

Left: minimal roaning (chestnut + ro/RO) | Right: maximal roaning (black + RO/RO)

The mane, tail, face, and lower legs (also known as "points") are unmixed with white hairs. Any markings can be mixed with roaning, but some patterns cause roaning.

Roaning in paints

Left: roaning sabino (black + SA/sa + RO/ro) this coat pattern has caused the roaning | Right: roaning tobiano (black + TO/to + RO/ro) the basecoat of this horse is a blue roan; the pattern and base are separate

Roaning and spots

Left: varnish roan blanket (steel grey + lp/LP + RO/ro) the coat pattern has caused the roaning | Right: varnish roan (chestnut + LP/RO) the basecoat is separate from the pattern; this pattern is codominant leopard and roan genes

"Corn Spots"

These breaks in the roan pattern are caused by scars. When the skin is broken beneath the fur, the genes which tell the hairs in the affected area switch off, allowing the basecoat to "poke through" the roan pattern. Wild horses are most often seen with "corn spots" because they are more exposed to the elements, as well as competition.

OTHER LESSONS

solids

tobianos

overos

spots

misc