Roan horse color: history and varieties of colors, breeds and how to keep them

The roan color of a horse is called an unusual manifestation of nature. Basically, this feature of color is manifested in horses of dark colors. The color of the hairline is presented in the form of multiple snow-white blotches along the croup, except for the head and limbs. Usually the mane and legs remain the main color. This type of pigment distribution has a genetic basis.

History and origins

In nature, wild stallions evolved, individuals of black color appeared, which are considered rare specimens. This feature is now monitored by selection experts.The name of the suit comes from the Turkic language, in translation the word "chal" means gray-haired. Giving such a horse as a gift to a local resident was considered a sign of deep respect.

This color is attributed to the unique natural phenomena, a horse with this color is a very rare type of representative of the animal world. It is noteworthy that when the skin is damaged, the coat of the main color grows in this place.

Color gene

A foal of this color appears in parents if the stallion has an active Rn gene, which is dominant. In this case, the horse must have wild ancestors in the genus. Two individuals of a similar suit are not crossed, as this leads to the death of the tribe. With a passive gene, it is inherited by the next generation.

The gene has no connection with a particular breed, it looks spectacular on horses with a black and dark colors. This unique phenomenon manifests itself zonal and non-zonal. When white hairs are located on the body of an animal in small areas, this feature is called zonal color.If small light hairs evenly cover the entire body of the horse, this arrangement is classified as non-zonal.

The noble roan horse is distinguished by the following features:

1. Eyes, hooves in the presence of the Rn gene remain black. The exception is the feature of a particular suit.
2. Individuals do not turn gray. Over time, the base color may become even darker. White blotches may lose saturation a little, but do not disappear at all.
3. Depending on the season, some breeds of horses change the shade of the pile. The mane remains unchanged all year round.
4. The tail also retains color throughout the life of ungulates. A feature of the Savras-roan breed is the presence of white strands of hair in the tail.
5. Tissue regeneration occurs at the site of injury. When healed, base color hair grows back.

The gene is not tied to gender, so it appears in females and males. The animal inherits the genotype, it can appear in the new generation in 50% of cases.

Roan Varieties

Classification of suits is a division into background and component parts of the color, which, in turn, are divided into zonal and non-zonal types. There are five suits, the rest are considered apprentices.

There are about 50 species.

1. Roy roan. The base color is brown, rarely red-brown. The head and legs remain in the background color, the coat appears light brown over the rump. It is considered the most common color among horses.
2. Crow Roan - implies a contrast of white on black, in contrast they give the body a smoky color. From a distance, the horse appears to have a bluish tinge.
3. Red-roan - individuals have a beautiful color, from a distance it seems that they have a pink color. Horses of a reddish-brown hue look especially chic.
4. Nightingale-roan - rarely appears, characterized by the fact that the nightingale with graying horse takes on a fawn color in spring.
5. Savras-roan - a feature of this color is the similarity with the wild forest colors of horses. Light long strands of hair are observed in the tail.

Rarely there are brown horses. A beautiful suit is distinguished by a golden hue of the body. Legs, mane and tail remain a deep jet black.

Temper and behavior

Zootechnicians note that black horses are inherently willful. This color is rare. The color of a horse does not change throughout life.

Among livestock specialists there are disputes about the influence of the genotype on the character and behavior of the animal.According to the observation of horse breeders, it was noted that black horses have a complex disposition, bay horses have endurance, and gray horses are sensitive creatures. The behavior of the animal is also influenced by the breed with which the roan was crossed.

Roan horse breeds

Chalost is not typical for all thoroughbred horses. It is absent in Oryol trotters. The characteristic spotting appears in foals whose ancestors had regular colors.

White blotches are characteristic of the Bashkir heavy truck horse breed. The presence of whitish spots and inclusions is considered a good sign and is welcome for this breed.

Roan Shire stallions are not allowed for breeding. This color in males is considered culling. Mares are allowed to have offspring.

Breeding, maintenance and care

Caring for roan horses is no different from keeping other species.Individuals are kept in herds or in a stable, it depends on the climatic conditions of the region. In an area with a warm climate, horses can graze all year round with a shelter and constant access to water. If there is enough grass on the pasture, additional feeding of animals is not required. When grazing horses in scarce fields, hay and oats are introduced into the diet. If possible, the pasture is sown with special grass, for example, timothy grass is used.

In the stable the animals are fed 3-4 times a day. Drinking water is provided in the same amount. On hot days, the amount of liquid in the diet of horses is increased. Horses kept for physical work or competition are fed more often than others.

The main part of the diet should be: barley, oats, corn, rye and wheat. Animals are not given water after walking in fields with legumes and clover. Fluid in the body causes bloating. Roans are a great pride of farmers, especially if the background color of the animal is black.To breed a stallion of this color, breeders carefully select a pair of parents.

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