Blue roan

Roan on a black base: a blue-grey barrel with a black head and legs.

Blue roan: Roan on a black base: a blue-grey barrel with a black head and legs.

What does this colour look like?

A black base with intermixed white hairs gives a blue-grey impression on the barrel; head, lower legs, mane and tail stay black.

Body
blue-grey (black + white mixed)
Mane and tail
black
Legs
black
Skin
dark
Eyes
brown

How does this colour arise?

A black horse with the roan gene.

More about the genetics

Blue roan = black (E_, a/a) + Rn. The blue impression comes from black and white mixed together. Not to be confused with grullo (dun, no white hairs) or a blue-grey grey.

What is this colour often confused with?

  • Grullo

    Dun on a black base: a mouse-grey body with a black dorsal stripe.

  • Grey

    A grey turns whiter year after year, whatever colour it was born.

  • Roan

    In roan, white and coloured hairs mix on the body, while head and legs stay coloured.

Discover more

GreyRoanBay roanStrawberry roanTest your knowledge in the quizAll coat colours

Sources: UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory · Sponenberg, D.P. & Bellone, R.R. (Wiley-Blackwell).