Roan

/roʊn/ adjective

Definition

A horse coat color that is a mixture of colored hairs (like red or brown) mixed with white hairs, giving a flecked or speckled appearance.

Etymology

From Spanish 'roano', possibly derived from Old French 'rouan'. The term emerged through equestrian vocabulary in medieval times.

Kelly Says

A roan horse looks like someone threw white paint splotches over a brown or red horse—it's one of nature's most beautiful patterns, and horse breeders have specific names for different roans (strawberry roan, blue roan), each looking totally different!

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