Fast Visual Cues (At a Glance)

• Overo: Irregular, jagged white patches; dark topline; often blue eyes with face white; legs usually darker.
• Tobiano: Smooth, rounded white patches that cross the back; white legs common; dark head with typical blaze/stripe.
• Tovero: Mix of Tobiano + Overo—dark around ears/forehead (“medicine hat”), blue eyes, chest or flank spots.
• Sabino: High white stockings with jagged tops, extensive face white, belly spots, and roany edges along markings.

Overo Variants (Frame, Splash, Sabino-like)

• Frame Overo: Side patches with a dark topline; white rarely crosses the back. Often blue eyes and bold face white.
• Splash White: Bottom-up look—white legs, belly, and broad face as if dipped in paint; crisp edges, blue eyes common.
• Sabino-like Overo: High whites with irregular tops, belly spots, and roany edges; sometimes minimal body white.

Breeding caution: Frame Overo x Frame Overo can produce Lethal White Overo (LWO). Responsible programs DNA-test breeding stock.

Tobiano Traits

• White patches are typically smooth and vertical; white commonly crosses the topline.
• Legs often white; head tends to stay darker with normal blazes/stars.
• Spots may appear shield-like over flanks and shoulders with clean borders.

Tovero: The Blend Zone

• Combination of Tobiano body white with Overo-style face markings and dark “medicine hat” or “shield.”
• Look for blue eyes, chest spots, flank spots, and contrasting ears.

Sabino Markers

• Extensive face white (bald, apron, or wide blazes) with roany edges rather than solid borders.
• High whites on legs with jagged tops; belly spots are common.
• Can range from minimal (just high whites) to loud with broad body white and roaning.

Grooming & Whitening for High-White Areas

• Pre-wash: Detangle, curry lightly, and pre-rinse to lift dust before shampoos.
• Target stains: Treat tails/socks first; work from cleanest to dirtiest zones.
• Rinse–scrape cycles: Rinse thoroughly and scrape immediately to avoid residue that attracts dirt.
• Dry time & airflow: Let hair lay flat before wraps/boots to keep whites crisp.

Show-Safe Skin & Leg Care

• Cannon/pastern barrier: Dust and wash racks can beat up skin under high-white socks—use a stay-put, show-friendly barrier.
• Sensation-free support: Keep recovery calm—no heat or sting—so horses don’t fidget and stain fresh whites.
• Wrap wisely: Apply products thinly, allow set time, then add clean, breathable layers.

Products We Trust

Reminder: Always follow your association’s current rules and each product’s label/SDS.

Paint Pattern FAQ