When they could not find a coveted Paint Horse, American Indians painted their plain horses with special symbols in an attempt to recreate the Paint's magical beauty. One Cheyenne legend ties the golden eagle to black and white horses and explains the special bond Native Americans feel for them. The Sioux have a song that has been handed down from generation to generation about the Paint Horse who returned from the battle of the Little Bighorn. The Pawnee and Arikara tribes have also honored in a war-dance song a spotted horse who returned from battle.

* 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.

* 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.

* These horses combine the characteristics of both overos and tobianos.