Rabicano

The word, "rabicano" is of Spanish origin - rabo meaning "tail" and cano meaning "white" - thus, it described a horse with white hairs in its tail. The word appears very early in epic poems in Italian literature: In Orlando Innamorato (1495), "Rabicano" is a magic horse originally ridden by Argalia. In Italian, the term simply means "roan" and might therefore have been a descriptive name. ==Characteristics==

The characteristics most often associated with the rabicano pattern are white hairs at the tailhead and the flank, where the body of the horse is joined by the hindquarters. but are apparently a different genetic mechanism from true roan. The term "coon tail" is associated with white hairs in the form of striping at the tailhead. ==Prevalence and inheritance==

The rabicano pattern is thought to be a dominant gene in some families, In the Arabian, rabicano patterning is even defined as "roan." This trait is not seen in true roans, and suggests that, like the white hairs associated with other white markings and patterns, the white hairs of a rabicano may be rooted in unpigmented skin cells. However, the genetic and developmental controls of such roaning are poorly understood, and has not yet been formally studied. While rabicano itself does not produce white markings on the face and legs, it can be confused with some of the numerous sabino patterns, one of which has been mapped to the KIT gene. Other color patterns mapped to KIT include tobiano and true roan. This may explain the close association between rabicano and sabino, which are often observed in the same horse. ==Vs. roan==

Rarely is rabicano patterning extensive enough to be confused with true roan. It is, however, possible for a horse to carry both rabicano and roan genes. Rabicanos are not true roans and can be distinguished from true roans by the following: • Roaning on rabicanos is centralized at the junction of the stifle and the flank; true roan is evenly distributed over the whole body except the points. • Rabicanos usually have skunk tails or rings of white hairs in the tail, while true roans do not. • Rabicano roaning often spreads, while true roans usually become darker. • Rabicanos do not develop corn marks when their skin is damaged. ==Vs. sabino==

Sabino patterning usually is expressed with high white legs markings with white sometimes extending onto the belly, face, and chin; sabinos often lack the white hairs at the base of the tail that characterize rabicano. A horse may carry the genes for both patterns, however. ==See also==