Also called "frost", varnish roan is the base gene required for any other appaloosa marking to show.
Varnish roan appaloosas have an uneven roaning pattern that increases with age. The speed at which the roaning increases varries from horse to horse. Usually a foal is born with some sort of spotting pattern, but the gradual roaning eventually overtakes this pattern. By adulthood, a horse will have more white hairs than dark hairs, dark hairs usually more dominant around the face and knees.
Varnish roan appaloosas have an uneven roaning pattern that increases with age. The speed at which the roaning increases varries from horse to horse. Usually a foal is born with some sort of spotting pattern, but the gradual roaning eventually overtakes this pattern. By adulthood, a horse will have more white hairs than dark hairs, dark hairs usually more dominant around the face and knees.
It's important to know that varnish roan is not the same as true roan or grey.
- True roan horses are born with their coloring at birth, while varnish roan horses have a gradual roaning as they age, striped hooves, and white sclera.
- Grey horses continue to get lighter hairs their entire life, while varnish roan horses will only "grey out" when they are young.
Genes that are in bold are active on the coat. Genes that are underlined are genes that the horse may carry, but will have no visible effect on the coat.
Gene Sequence
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · sb1+sb1+ · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · LP_ · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2
Gene Sequence
ee · aa · gg · crcr · dd · chch · F_ · zz · stysty · rbrb · rn+rn+ · sb1+sb1+ · w+w+ · to+to+ · oo · splspl · LP_ · patn1patn1 · patn2patn2