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Horse Color Interlude
Pintos and Paints are horses that have large white markings over one of the standard horse colors. Where the white starts and ends is determined by the interaction of several genes.
The most accurate way to paint a pinto horse is to start with a good photo and copy the markings. This will insure that you get the white patterns in the correct place.
There are three major types of Pintos:
Overos
- 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 rather scattered or splashy.
- Head markings are distinctive, often bald-faced, apron-faced or bonnet-faced.
- An overo may be either predominantly dark or white.
- The tail is usually one color.
Tobiano
- The dark color usually covers one or both flanks.
- Generally, all four legs are white, at least below the hocks and
knees.
- Generally, the spots are regular and distinct as ovals or round patterns
that extend down over the neck and chest, giving the appearance of
a shield.
- Head markings are like those of a solid-colored horse--solid, or
with a blaze, strip, star or snip.
- A tobiano may be either predominantly dark or white.
- The tail is often two colors.
Tovero
- Dark pigmentation around the ears, which may expand to cover the
forehead and/or eyes.
- One or both eyes blue.
- Dark pigmentation around the mouth, which may extend up the sides
of the face and form spots.
- Chest spot(s) in varying sizes. These may also 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, varying in size, at the base of the tail.
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