Equine coat

Horses with Roan coat

Discover horse breeds that can have a Roan coat. This page gathers available profiles, examples of related breeds and useful information to better understand this coat colour.

57 associated breeds
Roan listed coat

Understanding the Roan coat

The Roan coat: Even mix of white and base color hairs; stable through life.

Horse coat colors depend on genetics, but also on visible traits such as mane color, lower legs, skin tone, and the presence of markings or patterns. The same coat color can therefore vary from one individual to another.

Family: White hair pattern

Basic genetics: Stable mixture of white hairs with the base coat, unlike gray which progressively lightens.

Not to be confused with: Not to be confused with gray, which changes over time.

Horse breeds that can be Roan

Browse breed profiles where this coat colour is present or mentioned.

American Miniature Horse - CC BY 3.0 - Larrywalmart

American Miniature

Discover the American Miniature Horse, an elegant and intelligent miniature horse under 86 cm tall, admired for its beauty and gentle temperament.

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American Paint Horse - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Karakal

American Paint Horse

The Paint Horse, an American breed recognized for its pinto coat and versatility, excels in western riding, leisure, and competitions.

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Chestnut Quarter Horse gelding in Texas. The highly developed hindquarters are characteristic. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Betty Wills (Atsme)

American Quarter Horse

The Quarter Horse is the ultimate American horse, famous for its power, sprinting speed, and exceptional versatility.

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American Saddlebred practicing the rack. - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton

American Saddlebred

Discover the American Saddlebred, an elegant and expressive saddle horse, famous for its high-stepping gaits and iconic role in equestrian shows.

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 Anglo-Arab Gray - Public domain - Wikikoko

Anglo-Arab

The Anglo-Arab is an elegant and athletic horse, renowned for its versatility in competition and its noble origins.

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 Appaloosa stallion - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Karakal

Appaloosa

Why is the Appaloosa unique? Discover its spotted coat, temperament, origin and uses in western riding and more.

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Ardennes stallion from the Fourneau Saint-Michel estate in Saint-Hubert (Belgium). - CC BY 3.0 - Marie-Claire

Ardennais (Draft)

Why is the Ardennes horse so strong? Discover this powerful draft horse from the Ardennes and its many uses.

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Australian Riding Pony

Discover the Australian Riding Pony, an elegant pony standing 127 to 147 cm and around 275 kg, prized in Australia for leisure riding and competition thanks to its beauty and balan...

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Austrian Warmblood - C BY-SA 4.0 - Wald1siedel

Austrian Warmblood

The Austrian Warmblood blends Nonius, Shagya and Trakehner bloodlines from the imperial Austro-Hungarian studs. Selectively bred since 1964 for show jumping and dressage.

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 Auxois horses harnessed during the Trait d'Avenir harness competition in the maneuverability test. Paris International Agricultural Show 2013, Paris, France. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Eponimm

Auxois (Horse)

The Auxois, a Burgundian draft descended from medieval warhorses, can exceed 910 kg. Rescued from extinction in the 1970s, it remains one of France's rarest and most endangered dra...

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Baguales at the foot of the Fitz Roy massif, Patagonia - CC BY 3.0 - Annalisa Parisi

Bagual

Discover the Bagual horse, a symbol of freedom in Chile. Descended from the Criollo, it embodies strength, hardiness, and the spirit of South American wild horses.

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Chestnut Belarusian draft, in profile. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Frantishak

Belarusian Draft

The Byelorussian Harness Horse, bred for Belarus's swamps and forests, impresses with exceptional longevity — mares remain fertile until age 26. A rare, hardy and docile working br...

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Belgian bay roan during shrimp fishing on horseback in Oostduinkerke. - CC BY 4.0 - Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer)

Belgian Draft Horse - Belgisch Trekpaard

The Belgian Draft, descended from the medieval Great Horse that carried armored knights, is now the most popular draft horse in the United States. A gentle giant of legendary stren...

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Reine de Since, chestnut Breton mare. - CC BY-SA 3.0 -Goulwena MOEL

Breton (Horse)

The Breton, Brittany's iconic draft horse and France's most widespread, still harvests seaweed along the coastline. Sturdy, powerful and gentle, a truly authentic French breed.

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Chestnut Brumby in Kosciuszko National Park - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Thennicke

Brumby

The Brumby, Australia’s wild horse, sparks debate: heritage or invasive species? Discover its origin and the challenges it represents today.

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Campeiro

Discover the Campeiro horse, a rare Brazilian breed known for its hardiness, smooth marcha gait, and adaptation to the southern mountain regions of Brazil.

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Canadian Rustic Pony - CC BY-SA 3.0 -  Amazona01. SriMesh

Canadian Rustic Pony

Discover the Canadian Rustic Pony, a small yet strong and enduring horse breed from Canada, known for its hardiness, versatility, and gentle temperament.

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Canadian sport horse Pikardi and his rider Bonny Bonnello at the 2010 Kentucky Cup. - CC BY 2.0 - Jean

Canadian Sport Horse

Developed from European bloodlines, the Canadian Sport Horse combines strength, agility and balance, ideal for show jumping, dressage and eventing.

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 Cape horse in the early 20th century, before 1914 - Public domain

Cape Horse

Discover the story of the Cape Horse, a South African breed now extinct, used for work and war during the 17th to 19th centuries.

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Clydesdale bai sabino. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Bonnie U. Gruenberg

Clydesdale

Discover the Clydesdale horse, a Scottish draft breed renowned for its strength, elegance, and abundant feathering. A gentle and majestic giant.

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Bay Argentinian Criollo mare - CC BY 3.0 - Luciodec

Criollo

An emblematic Argentine breed, the Criollo stands out for its endurance, resilience, and deep connection to gaucho traditions.

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Czech Sport Pony – Český sportovní pony

Discover the Czech Sport Pony, a versatile and athletic breed, ideal for children’s riding and pony sport competitions.

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Czech-Moravian Belgian (Českomoravský belgik)

Discover the Czech-Moravian Belgian, a heavy draft horse from the Czech Republic, bred from Belgian Drafts and local stock, strong and used in farming and forestry.

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Dutch Draft Pair - CC BY-SA 2.0 - Amanda Slater

Dutch Draft

Discover the Dutch Draft, a powerful and gentle draft horse from the Netherlands, valued for its strength, hardiness, and agricultural use.

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Estonian Dapple Bay Horse - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Rozpravka

Estonian Native Horse

Discover the Estonian horse, a hardy and versatile breed from Northern Europe, valued for its strength, longevity, and gentle temperament.

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A group of Faroese ponies. - CC BY 3.0 - Maria Joensen

Faroe Islands Pony

The Faroe Pony, one of the world's rarest breeds with just 90 individuals, nearly vanished in the 1960s. Strictly forbidden from export, it can only be seen in the Faroe Islands.

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French trotter at the Cépière racecourse. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Clément Gruin

French Trotter – TF

Discover the French Trotter, a fast and enduring racehorse used in harness and mounted trotting, emblematic of French racetracks.

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 A model of a piebald Irish Cob with its characteristic abundant mane, at a show in Prague, Czech Republic. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Karakal

Gypsy Cob – Irish Cob – Gypsy Vanner (Tinker)

Why is the Irish Cob so loved? Gentle, hardy and versatile, this horse with abundant feathering is ideal for riding and driving.

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Italian Heavy Draft chestnut, model. - CC BY-SA 2.0 - Salvatore Capalbi from Italy

Italian Heavy Draft

The Italian Heavy Draft, nicknamed "Tiro Pesante Rapido", is Europe's fastest draft horse. Developed in Ferrara in 1860, it uniquely combines the power of a heavy breed with remark...

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Jianchang

The Jianchang horse, a small Chinese mountain breed from Sichuan, known for its hardiness and agility, measuring around 110–120 cm and weighing 180–250 kg.

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Wild horses at Spirits Bay, North Island. - CC BY 2.0 - Natalia Volna itravelNZ@ travel app

Kaimanawa (Horse)

The Kaimanawa, whose Māori name means "eat the wind", is New Zealand's wild horse. Only 300 individuals remain, managed by the army and listed as rare genetic heritage by the UN.

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Lithuanian chestnut trait - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Tocekas

Lithuanian Heavy Draught

Discover the Lithuanian Draft Horse, a strong and docile breed, ideal for farm work, heavy pulling, and traditional rural use.

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 Júpiter Quitumba, Brazilian national champion in 2002 - CC BY-SA 2.5 - Fábio Vidigal

Mangalarga Marchador

Discover the Mangalarga Marchador, a Brazilian horse renowned for its smooth gaits, elegance, and exceptional endurance.

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Quick Trigger, licorice-black Missouri Foxtrotter stallion - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Kayla Oakes

Missouri Fox Trotter

Why is the Missouri Fox Trotter so comfortable? Discover this smooth gaited horse, perfect for trail riding and western riding.

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A bay Morab under saddle - CC BY 2.0 - Heather Moreton

Morab

Why is the Morab so popular? This Morgan–Arabian cross offers elegance, endurance and versatility.

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Mustangs in Arizona. - CC BY 2.0 - John Harwood

Mustang

Discover the Mustang, America’s wild horse, a symbol of freedom and endurance, still roaming across the Western United States.

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Ponies roaming freely in the New Forest National Park - CC BY 2.0 - Paul Albertella

New Forest

Discover the New Forest Pony, a versatile British breed from Hampshire, standing 122–148 cm and weighing 300–450 kg. Origin, uses, colors, and semi-wild breeding.

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Nokota - CC BY-SA 3.0 - François Marchal and Dana boomer

Nokota

The Nokota is a rare American horse from the wild herds of North Dakota. Discover its unique history, roan coats, and hardy temperament.

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 Curly horse in palomino dress. - CC BY-SA 2.0 - Ron Manke

North American Curly Horse

Discover the North American Curly Horse, a hardy and hypoallergenic breed known for its unique curly coat, intelligence, and gentle temperament.

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New Gray Altai in the Chuy Steppe, Altai Mountains. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Alexandr Frolov

Novoaltaïskaya (New Altai)

The New Altai, developed by Soviet zootechnicians in the 1920s and only recognized in 2000, numbers just 2,000 individuals raised semi-wild in Russia's Altai Mountains.

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Paraguayan Criollo Paraguayan Horse - Domaine public - Andrea Grosse NBII

Paraguayan Criollo – Paraguayan Horse

Discover the Paraguayan Horse, or Paraguayan Criollo: a small, hardy and enduring horse, loyal and perfectly adapted to South American ranch life.

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Pleven at Kabiuk stud, chestnut, model - CC BY 2.0 - Plamen Ivanov

Pleven (Horse of)

Learn all about the Pleven: standards, history, behavior, breeding, and future of this Bulgarian warmblood horse recognized for equestrian sport.

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Leonardo 11, Poitevin Mulassier born in 1999. - CC BY 3.0 - Poitou

Poitevin Mulassier

Discover the Poitevin Mulassier, an iconic French draft horse from the Marais Poitevin, known for its strength, rarity, and role in mule breeding.

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Polish Coldblood gray - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Andrzej Otrębski

Polish Coldblood

Discover the Polish Coldblood Horse, a robust and docile breed from Poland, valued for its strength, hardiness, and qualities in farming and driving.

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Romanian Draft Horse - CC BY 2.0 - Cristian Bortes

Romanian Draft Horse

Discover the Romanian Draft Horse, a robust and versatile breed used in farming, traction, and driving, symbol of Romania’s rural tradition.

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Painting of a Russian Line by Otto Eerelman in 1898 - Public Domain - Otto Eerelman

Russian Heavy Draft

Discover the Russian Heavy Draft, a calm and powerful horse, developed in the 19th century in Russia for farming, draft work and breeding.

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Hello Sanctos, famous sBs gelding, ridden by Scott Brash at the CHI Geneva in 2014 - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Clément Bucco-Lechat

SBS – Belgian Sport Horse

The SBS, founded in 1920 as a cavalry horse, nearly vanished during World War II. Awarded Royal status in 1967, it now dominates international show jumping worldwide.

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A piebald Shetland pony on the Shetland Islands. - CC BY-SA 2.0 - Ronnie Robertson

Shetland Pony

The Shetland Pony, the world's strongest horse relative to its size, can pull twice its own weight. Present since the Bronze Age, thousands spent their entire lives hauling coal un...

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Soviet Heavy Draft at the Sevastopol Zoo, Russia - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Iskulikov

Soviet Heavy Draft

Discover the Soviet Heavy Draft horse, a powerful Russian breed known for its strength, resilience, and role in heavy farm work. History, traits, and uses.

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 Standardbred mare in harness trotting race. - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Markus Kauppinen

Standardbred

The Standardbred, world's fastest harness horse, traces 90% of its bloodlines to one stallion — Hambletonian 10. Named after the 1879 speed standard: one mile in under 2 minutes 30...

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Swedish Trotter - CC BY 3.0 - Thomas Blomqvist / Kanal 75

Swedish Trotter

Discover the Swedish Trotter, an elegant and powerful racehorse, renowned for its speed, stamina, and performances in harness and mounted trotting.

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Tennessee Walker horse model - CC BY 2.0 - Just chaos

Tennessee Walking Horse

Discover the Tennessee Walking Horse, an American breed renowned for its smooth gaits, natural elegance, and calm temperament.

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Trait du Nord - 2010 Agricultural Show - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Eponimm

Trait du Nord

The Trait du Nord is a massive and docile French draft horse, used for driving, farm work, and the preservation of cultural traditions.

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Uruguayan Cimarrón

The Uruguayan Cimarrón is a hardy horse born in the wild, known for its endurance, resilience, and ability to adapt to difficult terrain. Learn about its history and uses.

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Vladimir Heavy Draft

Discover the Vladimir horse, a Russian heavy draft combining strength, endurance, and elegance. History, origins, breeding, uses, and full characteristics of this breed.

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Three-year-old Welsh cob pony, chestnut with washed mane, model. - CC BY-SA 3.0

Welsh Cob

Discover the Welsh Cob, a robust and elegant Welsh pony, ideal for driving, riding, and leisure. Originating from Wales, it combines strength and character.

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Welsh B in CSO - CC BY-SA 4.0 - Elevage de maika

Welsh Pony Section B

The Welsh Section B, an elegant and athletic Welsh pony, nearly faced extinction under a 16th-century Tudor law. Gentle and versatile, it is today the favourite pony for children a...

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