rabicano

Rabicano is a coat color pattern found in horses. It is characterized by white hairs intermingled with the base coat color, most noticeably on the flanks and belly. This gives the impression of a roan or greyed effect, but unlike true roan, the white hairs are not evenly distributed throughout the coat. Instead, they tend to be concentrated in specific areas.

The most distinctive feature of the rabicano pattern is the "roan sock" or "roan leg" which appears as white hairs mixed into the base color on the lower legs. The tail is also often affected, with the upper portion retaining the base color while the lower portion becomes white or heavily flecked with white. This pattern can occur on any base coat color, including bay, chestnut, black, and grey.

Genetically, rabicano is believed to be caused by a specific gene that affects the distribution and type of pigment in the hair. It is often described as a form of sabino spotting, though the exact genetic basis is still a subject of ongoing research. While sometimes confused with roan or sabino, rabicano has its own unique set of characteristics that differentiate it. Horses with this pattern are often sought after for their distinctive and attractive appearance.