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One of the more misunderstood equine colors is by far THE PINTO. Most people consider this to be simply, a white and color “patched” appearance. What they do not realize is that there are several distinct “patterns” within the general definition of PINTO.
It should also be noted that "Pinto" is the correct term for any equine bearing these general markings, while "Paint" is not. While the Native Americans may have referred to their mounts as “painted” ponies, in the modern world today, the word "Paint" is reserved for horses that have not only pinto markings, but distinct bloodlines as well. A horse must have Paint, Quarter Horse, or Thoroughbred ancestry to qualify as a Paint horse. Since donkeys do not meet these criteria, technically they cannot be termed Paints.
To have a better understanding of Pinto patterns, let us begin by first exploring the differing horse patterns & terminology. First, discard the terms "piebald" (meaning a black & white) and "skewbald" (any other color & white) as they are in actuality British terms, and so do not recognize any particular pattern involved. That leaves "Pinto," roughly defined as "horses with patched color (or "broken-coloured" outside the US) that is NOT of Appaloosa appearance."
There are 4 true coat patterns in Pinto (and Paint) horses, although the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) uses only 2 terms. The 4 coat patterns are Tobiano, Overo, Sabino, and Splash White. Tovero can be labeled a fifth pattern, but is actually a combination of the tobiano and non-tobiano coats. Many breeds carry the genes for pinto patterning, and whether it is a Shetland or a Clydesdale, each of the coat patterns still share similar basic appearances. Unfortunately, the descriptions used by the APHS can be rather misleading, so we prefer to show each pattern in a progression form, rather than relying on a single example to show the overall appearance.
1) THE HORSE
TOBIANO: The horse has a solid colored head with normal face marking (star, blaze, or none). All 4 legs will have a degree of white marking below the knee/hock (Tobianos with only 3 white legs are virtually non-existent, the smallest degree may only be a tiny or faint coronet marking, but some type of white will still be present). White appears to “flow” from the topline down. The white usually appears first at the withers or neck, then over the tailhead or croup. A horse with a white hip will usually have a two-toned tail. The marking may not be similar or identical on both sides of the same horse. Edges of the markings are usually fairly smooth, and may have a “Blue border” (also called "mapping") or roaned edge.
In minimal marked animals, a small white area will appear at the top of the neck, with 4 white legs completing the pattern. In the medium marked animal, half of the horse is white, and half dark, with even markings. In maximum marked animals, the head will still remain mostly dark, with colored areas retained on the flanks.
The tobiano gene is a partial dominant. Only one dose is required to produce a tobiano-marked animal. (Tt). The animal may also possess a complete dominant, or be "homozygous" for the tobiano gene (TT). In these cases, all offspring of the TT animal will be tobiano in pattern, regardless of the color or pattern of the other parent. (There are tovero, which are tobiano and overo combinations, and even pintaloosa animals, which have both pinto and appaloosa markings). Recent research points to the visual indicator of the TT (homozygous) tobiano as being the “paw prints” or “ink spots,” the small random dark markings in the white areas of the patterning.
OVERO: The horse will be of any solid color, with an extensively marked face (usually bald or apron, more than merely a blaze). White appears on the belly or midline, spreading up and outward. Secondary patches begin on the neck.
White will NOT cross the topline (back) unless the animal is of extreme white markings, but it can cross on the neck/mane in moderate cases. One or more legs will be colored (normal stockings will appear, but with the upper leg still colored). Blue eyes are common. Edges of the markings may be hard and crisp (frame overo) or jagged and lacy with roaning (rosette). As of yet it is unknown whether additional genes control the variations of frame and rosette.
Overos are usually symmetrically marked on each side, with the exception of the white marks on the lower legs. The facial marking may also by asymmetrical, but the basic placement and size of the white on the body will be similar on both sides. Research has shown that the overo pattern is a single partial dominant, with a homozygous dose of the overo resulting in a lethal gene (discussed further at the end of this article).
MEDICINE HAT: Many overos of the extreme-white variety, fall into a special subcategory, called the “Medicine Hat" Pinto. These legendary pintos were once believed by Native Americans to have special magic powers and sported a head or “War Bonnet” (colored patch on the top of the head and ears) and sometimes an accompanying chest or “shield” (colored patch across its chest). It was believed that enemy arrows could not penetrate these areas on the animal and thus protect its rider from harm. Below are examples that could be termed “Medicine Hats.” Not all are overo origin of course as some tobianos, toveros, and sabinos may likewise carry the same markings correct for a “Medicine Hat.”
SABINO: This unique pattern is often called "Sabino Roan," as it can have true roaning in the coat. This color pattern is seen most commonly among Clydesdales. Some Arabian horses, especially of Crabbet breeding, have also displayed this unusual pattern though, as researchers are quick to point out the genetic marker for this pattern actually occurs on a different gene other than the true sabino.
In any event, the face has normal WIDE blazes, (not apron or bald unless the animal is extensively white). Three or four stockings will occur, higher than the knees and hocks in almost all cases. White flecks, or roaned-edge patches start in the flank and belly. The white will spread up and outward from the flank, appearing secondary over the neck, and in extreme cases, encompassing nearly the entire body with the exception of the croup and topline. The amount of white on both sides of the body is often nearly symmetrical, in that the rise will be the same, but the roaning on each side may not be consistent.
Sabino is often found as a “cropout” among Quarter horse bloodlines. Interestingly enough, "Sabino" is the one pattern the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) considers to be a paint trait, and so any Quarter Horse sporting four high-white stockings, excessive white on the face, or small belly spots, ( thus "cropouts") are immediately culled from the AQHA, regardless of bloodlines or parentage. Research (particularly by Dr. Phil Sponenberg, DVM) has only recently theorized that the sabino pattern may simply be a natural progression of the normal “random” white markings found in horses, influenced by a number of genes. Sabino appears to be at least a partial dominant. In addition, whether animals mated have 3 or 4 white stockings, each may still influence the amount of white on the offspring. The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) in turn, lumps "Sabino" with "Overo" in the registration category, despite claims that the two are NOT the same. White stockings are the quickest way to tell Sabino from Overo.
SPLASH WHITE: This is the rarest form of "pinto." The horse looks literally as if it has been dunked, lower body & head, into a tub of white paint. Extensive white is on the head ("apron" or "paper face") and the white appears as hard-edged. This color is very similar to the visual progression of sabino, if one were to include the rise of the roan as progression. The extent of white splash may range from high white stockings connected to a white patch on the belly with a bald face, to a horse that is nearly white over the entire body, with only a patch of base color covering the ears, neck, and withers. Blue eyes are common with most in the darker spectrum of patch colors, like bays or blacks. Tail tips are generally white at the same point in the tail where the body color ends. Stallions who carry the splash white gene have been known to have sired overo, sabino, or other splash white foals. Because the APHA lumps all non-tobianos together as OVERO, genes from all non-tobiano patterns may have been inadvertently combined in recent years.
TOVERO: Generally thought of as being the combination of the "tobiano" and "overo" patterns. Unusual markings including white ears may be seen. Since the APHA lumps all non-tobiano animals together as OVERO, most horses who are considered "Tovero" may not be of actual tobiano/overo genetic combinations. Some may be odd variations on the "tobiano" pattern (an apron face) or be "tobiano/sabinos". (Keeping in mind how "sabinos" are classified as "overo" by the APHA, and how recent research suggests it may be naturally-progressing white, one can visualize how the leg & face markings would begin to spread past the norms defined in the "tobiano" pattern).
MOROCCAN: At the turn of the century and up into the 1950’s, a number of horse breed books listed a variant of the "tobiano" or occasional "tovero" as being a "Moroccan" pattern. These animals were described as having colored heads with the rest of the body white. A very few had small patches on the chest or flank. In essence, the "Moroccan" pattern was nothing more than an extreme-white end "tobiano" with markings arranged in an odd way.
2) THE ASS
DONKEY SPOT: Also known as Spotted Ass, this pinto pattern is as unique to the donkey as any of the other patterns are to the horse. The Spotted pattern is found in Asses (donkeys) of all sizes, from Miniature to Mammoth. The spotting can overlay any base color, and most will keep their mealy points (light points: muzzle, eye rings, and belly). However, animals with the recessive genes for No Light Points often show the black muzzle clearly, depending mainly on the amount of actual white markings on the head. Crosses (dorsal & shoulder stripes) will show on the darkly colored portion of the animal. If the dark color is interrupted by white, the cross may show as “broken” only on the dark areas.
The Donkey Spot pattern, if compared visually to horse patterns, resembles overo or tovero to an extent. It also resembles quite closely the spotting pattern found in Longhorn cattle. The minimal expression of the spotting pattern in donkeys is a white blaze on the forehead and nasal ridge. The blaze is often exaggerated as it blends visually into the white points of the muzzle. Close examination can determine where the pink skin of the actual blaze may extend into a snip, race or lip (or any combination) or if the blaze ends at the muzzle hair. Socks, or broken/partial leg markings are also seen in the minimally marked animal. Unlike horses, the blaze and sock in the donkey are an indicator of the spotted gene. Thus far the extent of random white markings in donkeys (unrelated to spotting) is limited to a forehead star and in one bloodline, a white snip. White hip markings appear, with secondary patches on the neck. Color will stay around the eyes, on ears, down the topline, and on one or more legs. A few donkeys may have bald-looking faces, but often the eye on one side will have a color patch around it. The lips and skin around the eye can be pink, black, or splotched. Even nearly-white animals may have dark mascara on the eyes, and dark spots on the cannon bones (fore) and hocks. Blue eyes are unusual in spotted donkeys, but have been seen.
TYGER SPOT:The Spotted Ass pattern looks to the eye as if the donkey were a white animal with dark spots filled in and laid on top of the white background. Some white donkeys are actually an extreme form of the spotted pattern, where only small "smudges" of color (often pale and roaned) are seen along the back, tail, or ears. The edges of these spots can be crisp or roaned (mapped). Because actual small round dark spots are seen, some people take that as to mean that donkeys must also come in Leopard Appaloosa. But comparisons to the Appaloosa leopard complex show this is NOT true as they lack the white sclera around the eyes, typical skin mottling, striped hooves, etc. Donkeys who have numerous small round spots scattered over a dark background may be referred to as “tyger spotted,” but realistically are still genetically pinto-spotted and NOT appaloosa.
In these animals with over-lay and tyger type spotting, it is not unusual to see dark spots inside the white blaze over the forehead area. The leg markings may also be jagged and uneven (lightning marks). Thus far, all variants of the donkey-spot pattern have proven to be partial dominants, as with overo in horses. This indicates also that the tyger spotting may be to the donkey spot as rosette overo is to frame, that is a variation with an additional controller.
3) THE MULE/HINNY
MULE SPOT: This is where nature has a ball and often wreaks havoc. Mules have the genetic possibility of exhibiting all of the color patterns of the Horse (overo, sabino, tobiano), as well as the Ass (donkey spot), AND YET, nature does not seem fit to produce mules in any of the exact patterns of either parent. The patterns are most commonly enlarged, or strangely “Skewed” (displaced) in the mule. Research into this phenomenon is by no means complete, but observations can be useful if breeding for color in mules is desired.
APPALOOSA MULES: If you want color on a mule colt, breed for the appaloosa pattern. Mules from appaloosa dams are often the loudest. Appy spots are easily transmitted by the mare to the mule foal by way of roaning, blankets, spots, or leopard patterns. Appy mules may have HUGE spots, or hundreds of smaller spots. Likewise, the blanket variety may only be a few white splashes with gigantic spots overlaying, or obliterating all but a few areas. On occasion, as with appy horses, some mules may be solid colored with no white or appaloosa characteristics (skin mottling, white sclera around the eyes, striped hooves, etc). Those that do achieve color often do so with outstanding (or outlandish according to tastes) results. And just as in the case of the Appaloosa horse, the mule foal may also develop its markings or pattern as it matures.
PINTO MULES: Another way to get good color in a mule is to breed with a spotted jack who has spotted (pinto) bloodlines. Offspring from these matings show loud markings that are definite modifications (skewing) of the Donkey Spot pattern. Mules from solid-colored mares can have huge amounts of white with very flashy spotting. A spotted hinny from a spotted jennet and solid colored stallion sire, for example, can result in a modified Donkey spot pattern.
Interestingly enough, Tobiano pinto mares rarely throw color to the mule colt. Mules from tobiano mares most commonly have only four stockings (or sock and stocking combinations) and a white tail splash. Facial markings are rare in these mules. If more white is transmitted, it often shows up on the mule in areas not typical of the horse tobiano pattern. In looking through ADMS photo registrations at comparisons of mules from tobiano dams, less than 1/4 normally have what could be considered true tobiano markings. Of this percentage, only 1 in 100 will appear to be an exact tobiano pattern. Most mules that are patched similarly to tobiano will STILL have some sort of displacement of the arrangement of white. In the true tobiano horse, color nearly always crosses the back or neck. In the mule, that concept is thrown out the window. Compare the below tobiano MULE pattern with the tobiano HORSE pattern show previously. Notice the subtle differences?
The Overo pattern is not of much use when breeding for a spotted mule. The Overo is double-recessive in the horse (meaning both parents must have the recessive overo gene) and since the donkey does not carry this gene, the Overo pattern is not as easily transmitted to mule offspring. Of the recorded foals of overo mares (when bred to non-spotted jacks), no mule showed the overo or any other spotting pattern for that matter. Those mule foals with pinto markings out of overo mares did so ONLY because they also had spotted jack sires.
MULE SKEWING: There have been mules observed as having extremely unusual patterns that did not fit into any one category. This is a prime example of wild "skewing." On occasion, a mule will combine two parent colors and result in a totally unique color or "skewed" pattern. For example, a mule may have dark leopard spots overlaying the dark areas of pinto markings, indicating a spotted ass x appaloosa mare mating.
ADMS FILES, study case #1: One mule who had a red roan Donkey sire and a solid colored QH dam came out a very loud arrangement of pinto. Another mule out of an black donkey sire and an overo mare, came out a well-marked dun with dark striping but absolutely no white. Spotted donkey jacks crossed on leopard Appaloosa mares often produce mules with dark leopard type spots on top of pinto patches.
ADMS FILES, study case #2: Face & leg markings DO NOT seem to readily transmit to the mule foal. Small stars are sometimes seen, but stockings or even socks are not commonly observed. To get a mule with four white feet however, breeding a tobiano seems to be the best bet. Sometimes though, Mother Nature will still refuse to cooperate! Case in point - a nicely marked tobiano mare “Lady” had three mule foals in three seperate foalings. The 1st foal was born with only four stockings, no other white. The 2nd was roaned but still had only a small irregular star/stripe facial marking. The 3rd foal came out a “mule tobiano,” bay with a tail splash, and four spotted white stockings.
LETHAL WHITE FOAL SYNDROME: The question has also arisen regarding the Lethal White Syndrome. Recent research suggests this is a genetic trait linked to the homozygous overo (white pinto gene) in Paint horses. It appears to be from frame x frame matings, although since the APHA still categorizes all non-tobianos together, other patterns have not yet been ruled out. Foals born from these overo x overo matings (O/o x O/o = 0/0) are born all white, and die within a few hours of birth from a defect in the colon. (Since the overo is only a partial dominant, the heterozygous Overo (O/o x O/o) matings can still produce O/o normal overo, as well as solid colored foals.) At present time, the situation is incurable.
Since donkeys do come in white, there is a possibility that this gene could be present in asses. The Spotted Ass pattern, like the Overo, is also a partial dominant. Extensive research by the ADMS has as yet failed to turn up a jack or jennet that could be confirmed as a homozygous (SA/SA) spotted animal. If there were a homozygous, all foals regardless of the color of the other parent, would be spotted. Even in extreme-white animals, solid foals still occur. Additionally, spotted x spotted mating still continue to produce solid-colored foals. There is no evidence that the spotted gene is recessive – spotted animals will always have one spotted parent (even when the spotting is hidden by the Frosted (graying-type) gene or the animal is the minimally marked Masked Spotted Factor with only a white blaze). Evaluation of the matings of spotted to spotted animals show preliminary figures indicating the SA/SA is possibly a lethal gene, and the ratio of colored offspring vs. solid is consistent with this theory as well.
Of course, if you have any photos, information, or have done any research which can help us further, please write to us. We are working in conjunction with other researchers at this time, (like Phil Sponenberg), and hope to have more confirmed genetic information in the future.
It is always stressed by the ADMS, and should be any breeder’s policy, that no matter how fascinating and fanciful the color, conformation should never be sacrificed for color. Careful selection of brood stock for conformation and temperament should be fundamental, since understanding the workings of color can easily introduce and “fix” genetically a color or pattern into a herd. Always love your Longear no matter what color he comes out!!!
Leah Posey-Patton, Spotting Research, PO Box 1210, Lewisville Texas 75067
(This Page last updated: February 14, 2002)
