roan

Roan is a coat color pattern found in several mammal species, characterized by an even mix of white hairs with colored hairs across the body. The resulting appearance is often described as salt-and-pepper or heathered. Roan differs from albinism, white spotting, and from gray, because roan involves pigment throughout the coat rather than progressive depigmentation with age. In horses and cattle, roan patches are typically distributed across the torso, while the head and lower legs may retain the base color.

In horses, roan commonly appears on many base colors and takes forms such as red roan (chestnut base with white hairs), blue roan (black base with white hairs), and bay roan. The mane and tail are usually darker than the body. Inheritance is commonly described as incompletely dominant; heterozygous individuals show the roan pattern, whereas homozygous roan animals are rarely observed and may be deleterious in some lines.

In cattle and other livestock, roan is also produced by a gene that yields white hairs mixed with colored hairs. The trait is typically inherited in an incomplete dominance pattern, though the genetics can vary by species. Roan cattle usually keep a colored head and legs, with the torso displaying the intermingled white and colored hairs.

Roan patterns are acknowledged by many breed registries and can influence breeding decisions and color-based judging. They may be prized for their distinctive appearance, but roan status is primarily an aesthetic trait rather than a health indicator.