The American Paint Horse The American Paint Horse The American Paint Horse’s combination of color and conformation has made the American Paint Horse The American Paint Horse’s combination of color and conformation has made the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) one of the largest breed registries in the world, based on the number of horses regis - Association (APHA) one of the largest breed registries in the world, based on the number of horses regis - tered annually. While the colorful coat pattern is essential to the identity of the breed, American Paint tered annually. While the colorful coat pattern is essential to the identity of the breed, American Paint Horses have strict bloodline requirements and a distinctive stock-horse body type. To be eligible for Horses have strict bloodline requirements and a distinctive stock-horse body type. To be eligible for registry, a Paint’s sire and dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American registry, a Paint’s sire and dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds). To be eligible for the Regular Registry, the Quarter Horse Association, or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds). To be eligible for the Regular Registry, the horse must also exhibit a minimum amount of white hair over unpigmented skin. horse must also exhibit a minimum amount of white hair over unpigmented skin. Each Paint Horse has a particular combination of white and any color of the equine spectrum: black, bay, Each Paint Horse has a particular combination of white and any color of the equine spectrum: black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grullo, red dun, sorrel, palomino, buckskin, gray, roan, cremello or perlino. brown, chestnut, dun, grullo, red dun, sorrel, palomino, buckskin, gray, roan, cremello or perlino. Markings can be any shape or size, and located virtually anywhere on the Paint’s body. Markings can be any shape or size, and located virtually anywhere on the Paint’s body. Although Paints come in a variety of colors with different markings, there are three specific coat patterns: Although Paints come in a variety of colors with different markings, there are three specific coat patterns: overo, tobiano and tovero. overo, tobiano and tovero. These colors, markings and patterns, combined with stock-type conformation, athletic ability and These colors, markings and patterns, combined with stock-type conformation, athletic ability and agreeable disposition, make the American Paint Horse an investment in quality. agreeable disposition, make the American Paint Horse an investment in quality. OVERO (pronounced: oh vair’ oh) OVERO (pronounced: oh vair’ oh) • The white usually will not cross the back of the horse between its withers and its tail. • 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, at least one and often all four legs are dark. • Generally, the white is irregular, and is rather scattered or splashy. • Generally, the white is irregular, and is rather scattered or splashy. • Head markings are distinctive, often bald-faced, apron-faced or bonnet-faced. • Head markings are distinctive, often bald-faced, apron-faced or bonnet-faced. • An overo may be either predominantly dark or white. • An overo may be either predominantly dark or white. • The tail is usually one color. • The tail is usually one color. TOBIANO (pronounced: tow be yah’ no) TOBIANO (pronounced: tow be yah’ no) • The dark color usually covers one or both flanks. • The dark color usually covers one or both flanks. • Generally, all four legs are white, at least below the hocks and knees. • 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 • 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. 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. • 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. • A tobiano may be either predominantly dark or white. • The tail is often two colors. • The tail is often two colors. TOVERO (pronounced: tow vair’ oh) TOVERO (pronounced: tow vair’ oh) The combination of tobiano with any of the overo patterns is usually called tovero. The combination of tobiano with any of the overo patterns is usually called tovero. • Usually has more white than colored area, some nearly all white. • Usually has more white than colored area, some nearly all white. • Generally, all the contrasting markings are regular and distinct, appearing as ovals or • Generally, all the contrasting markings are regular and distinct, appearing as ovals or round patterns that extend down over the neck and chest, giving the appearance of a shield. round patterns that extend down over the neck and chest, giving the appearance of a shield. • Usually has dark pigmentation around the ears, which may expand to cover the forehead and/or eyes. • Usually has dark pigmentation around the ears, which may expand to cover the forehead and/or eyes. • Generally has contrasting color covering one or both flanks. • Generally has contrasting color covering one or both flanks. • May have spots of varying size at the base of the tail. • May have spots of varying size at the base of the tail. For more information, contact: For more information, contact: AmericanPaintHorseAssociation AmericanPaintHorseAssociation P.O. Box 961023 • Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023 P.O. Box 961023 • Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0023 Phone: (817) 834-2742 • Fax: (817) 834-3152 • www.apha.com Phone: (817) 834-2742 • Fax: (817) 834-3152 • www.apha.com The American Paint Horse Overo Tobiano The American Paint Horse Overo Tobiano.