Like some splotchy cows (4)

I believe the answer is:

roan

(Other definitions for roan that I've seen before include "Horse with a brownish coat sprinkled with grey" , "Horse with coat speckled with white or grey" , "Of horse, with coat sprinkled with white or grey hairs" , "Type of 17's coat colouring" , "Nora (anag) - horse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Washington Post.

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