Coat Patterns
Click on the photos to learn more about the various
Coat Patterns.
Tobiano (Tow be yah' no)
- Dark colors usually covers one or both flanks.
- Generally, all four legs are white, at least below the hocks and knees.
- Generally, spots are regular and distinct as ovals or round patterns that
extend down over the neck and chest. much like a shield.
- Head markings can include a blaze, strip, star, snip, or be solid.
- The tail is often two colors.
Overo (oh vair' oh)
- The white usually will not cross the back of the horse between its withers
and its tail.
- Generally, at least one and often all four legs are dark.
- Generally, the white is irregular and is scattered or splashy.
- Head markings are distinctive and often the horse will have a bald-face,
apron-face, or bonnet-face.
- The tail is usually one color.
Tovero (Tow vair' oh)
- Dark pigmentation around the ears, which may extend to cover the forehead
and/or eyes.
- One or both eyes are blue.
- Dark pigmentation around the mouth, which may extend up the sides of the face
and form spots.
- Chest spot(s) vary sizes, and they may extend up the neck.
- Flank spot(s) ranging in size. These are often accompanied by smaller
spots that extend forward across the barrel and up over the loin.
- Spots can vary in size at the base of the tail.
