There are basically two types of pinto patterns: overo and tobiano. On overo horses, the white seems to originate on the belly and extend upward in jagged-edged patterns; white rarely crosses the back. On tobianos, the white appears to originate on the back and radiate downward, creating round patches of color. The tovero is a combination of both patterns and is often seen as medicine hat markings (see Merlin below).
Ironically, the pinto began to lose popularity when breed registries rejected it because of its spotting. Founded in 1965, the American Paint Horse Registry focused on pinto-patterned horses with Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse bloodlines. Horses with Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and/or Paint bloodlines are considered Paint horses. Want to add a splash of color to your barn? Why not Paint it!The pinto pattern (white and another solid color) is seen in a variety of breeds, from ponies to draft horses. The Paint, however, is a specific type of pinto.
Horses with pinto patterns were brought to the Americas by the early explorers. These colorful horses were popular with Native Americans as well as with cowboys of the western frontier. During this time period, the spotted horse, known in Great Britain as the piebald or skewbald, acquired such names as calico, Indian pony, glass-eye, paint, pinto, and wall-eye.
CALICO SKIES
The horse seen at the upper right of this page is Calico Skies, a bay tobiano paint stallion customized by Wendy Galbreath. She took the Breyer #476 Cigar mold and straightened its legs, tooled its face and repositioned the lower portion of its mane so he can be saddled. He will be making his live show debut soon.
DRAGONFIRE
Dragonfire is a chestnut overo Paint stallion. Notice how his white markings are jagged and don't cross over his back. Dragonfire is an original finish Breyer Yellow Mount #51, forearm spot version. He is retired now, but used to be a photo show champ. He was named after an episode of the British T.V. series Doctor Who.
NUMBER SIX
Number Six is a black tobiano Paint stallion. He is an original finish Breyer #229 Stock Horse Stallion. Notice how his white markings cross over his back. I named him after a character in the popular T.V. show The Prisoner. He is the four-sock verion. I used to have a one-sock version, but I repainted him before I knew his value. *sigh*
MERLIN
Merlin is a chestnut tovero Paint stallion. His particular pattern is known as "medicine hat" markings. This refers to the patches of color resembling a warrior's shield (on his chest) and a war bonnet (on his head and ears). He is an original finish Breyer #67 San Domingo, designed to resemble the horse of that name in the Marguerite Henry book. (If you haven't read the book yet, you need to!)
Photos and text Copyright 1998-2003 by Keri Krause. Please do not use this material without my permission. Thank you.
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