Varnish roan

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Varnish roan describes a horse with coloration similar to greying. Varnish roans begin as normally colored horses, which usually have appaloosa spotting.

As an Appaloosa horse ages, the markings blur. The varnish roan seems to spread from the white of the original markings. Varnish roan is not a result of the roan gene, but part of the Appaloosa complex.

Varnish Roan usually has a whitish or grey body, with color mainly on the cheeks of the face, and around the knees. The darker areas remain at bony points (on the face, usually in a distinct V on the bridge of the nose; on the cheeks, point of shoulder, elbows, knees, point of hips, hock) and it can be seasonal as well. Although classic roans are roan from birth, varnish roans are born with the roan gene and "roan out" as they age. A horse's appearance can change almost completely, although the original markings are usually visible.

The pattern is not stable. Much like the Grey gene, the horse is born another color (usually another appaloosa pattern), and the Varnish pattern gradually overtakes it.

This pattern is often found in conjunction with other appy patterns.