Basic Color Guide Patterns Spotted Saddle Horse

The Spotted Saddle Horse is a light type breed of horse used mainly for pleasure, utility and show purposes. Its breeding is based upon the bloodline of foundation stock and horses registered in the Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.

The Spotted Saddle Horse is most easily recognized by its colorful coat. A wide variety of acceptable colors and patterns make each horse unique unto itself. The spectrum of colors range from almost solid color to almost solid white, and encompasses all of the hues known in the horse world.

There are two major coat patterns in any "color" breed registry. These are the overo and the tobiano. These two patterns are distinguished by the location of color on each individual horse. There are many variations of each pattern, and some individuals display the sabino or tovero pattern.

TOVERO (Pronounced: tow vair' o)

This horse shows characteristics of both
overo and tobiano color patterns.

SABINO (Pronounced: sa bean o)

The sabino horse has color and markings similar to the roan, yet it genetically different. Its base coat color is mixed with white hairs, similar to roaning but often with overo marking: high stockings, white face, white spots. The base color, bay, black, chestnut, etc. is used with sabino for better identification: i.e. "bay sabino", "chestnut sabino", etc.

OVERO (Pronounced: oh vair' oh)

The white originates on the underside of the horse and will rarely cross the back of the horse between its withers and tail.
Generally, at least one, often all four legs will be the dark color.
Head-markings are predominately white; often bald, apron or bonnet faced.
Generally, the white is irregular, rather scattered or splashy. It is often referred to as calico.
The tail is usually one color.
An overo horse may be either predominantly dark or white. (The darker color is more common.)

TOBIANO (Pronounced: tow be yah' no)

The tobiano normally exhibits white across the spine extending downward between the ears and tail in a clearly marked pattern.
Head markings will be like those of a solid colored horse - solid or with a blaze, strip, star or snip.
Generally, all four legs will be white, at least below the hocks and knees. The tobiano rarely has more than one or two solid colored legs.
Generally, the spots are regular and distinct as ovals or round patterns that extend down over the neck and chest.
The horse will usually have the dark color on one or both flanks.
A tobiano may be either dark or white.
A tobiano must have one parent that is a tobiano.

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Last modified: 11/07/05