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Roan information

Hi, Just wondering if anyone can help me. Is there a test for roan? Is it possible to tell if a foal is roan from birth? Thanks.

Daylene Alford Sat, 06/19/2010 - 11:26

There is a zygosity test offered by UC Davis. It doesn't look for the actual mutation but markers near the mutation that almost always travel with roan. ATM I believe they are only offering the test for QH's and Paints.

It is sometimes possible to tell if a foal is roan. They can have a few white hairs or if you spread the foal coat there will sometimes be white hairs underneath.

RiddleMeThis Sat, 06/19/2010 - 12:15

They expanded the test to a lot of breeds (including at least TWH) but Im not seeing a breed list on there any more so maybe they have opened it to all breeds.

greenlich Sat, 06/19/2010 - 17:25

Thanks.
How early can you usually tell if a foal is a roan? What sort of things should you look for?

greenlich Sat, 06/19/2010 - 18:57

What sort of signs do you look for?
Do you have any pics of roan foals?
Thanks.

rodeoratdogs Sun, 06/20/2010 - 09:35

[quote="accphotography"]Intense roaning in the flank is usually the first clue.[/quote]

This is true, I had one years ago and it had white hairs kind of underneath the hair at the flank/hip area right at birth. From what I always understood that was the first clue and difference between roan and grey, you could see some roaning right away with true roans and with greys the white hairs come later on.

tbtash Mon, 06/21/2010 - 02:53

Hi, you will see white hairs under the foal coat and when they shed their foal coat hey presto : ) here is an example for you, this is the same filly, before and after. LOVE THEM !!! and yes flank seem to be the area that you can see it at birth.

tbtash Mon, 06/21/2010 - 21:27

Yes ACC she did have definite signs in flanks and rear end of roaning from day one.

Actually all those who had classic roan foals born by our Stallion last season could tell from day one that they had a roan baby. I think it is quite obvious in most cases with the classic roan gene, if you know what you are looking for :smile: but always a nice surprise when they shed off, as they completely transform!

accphotography Mon, 06/21/2010 - 21:42

I think it can depend on the line too. I've seen some foals by certain stallions who most people could never see they were roan until they shed, yet other like yours are obvious right away. I'd like to know what makes the little differences like those.