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Time to Re-Paint
The American Paint Horse and Pinto
By Diane Ursu

The American Paint Horse is art in motion. Once wildly roaming the western deserts and plains, this breed was treasured by cowboys and Native Americans. The beauty of this horse was often the inspiration for artwork and songs.

According to the APHA brochure, "The American Paint Horse,"

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 Paint Horse is derived from Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred breeding, but possesses the extraordinary markings of nature's paintbrush. They are strong, well-muscled horses that are suitable for any kind of work. They have strong hindquarters and strong bones. They are versatile horses that are used for cutting, jumping, racing, and other disciplines.

The Paint Horse may come in one of three color patterns: tobiano, overo, and tovero. The following information has been provided by the American Paint Horse Association:

TOBIANO (Pronounced: tow be yah' no)

• 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.

On this horse in the above pictures, the
dark color covers both flanks and creates
a "shield" on her chest, all four legs are
white, she has a faint snip (white marking
on muzzle), and her tail is two colors.
She is a buckskin and white tobiano.

OVERO (Pronounced: oh vair' oh)

• 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.

The following is a description of a particular overo:

The white does not cross his back, his left front leg is dark, he has a very irregular or "splashy" pattern, very distinctive head markings, is predominantly dark, and, although we can't see it, his tail is more than likely dark.

TOVERO (Pronounced: tow vair' oh)

These horses combine the characteristics of both overos and tobianos.

For more information on the American Paint Horse, contact the

American Paint Horse Association
P.O. Box 961023
Forth Worth, Texas 76161
(817) 439-3484

www.apha.com

Special thanks to the American Paint Horse Association.

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