Definition of a Paint Horse

Provided by the American Paint Horse Association

What is an American Paint Horse? More than just a pretty face, this breed is a versatile athlete that was made in America.

The first loudly-marked horses stepped onto American shores in 1519. Historical records show that these horses were part of an expedition led by Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes. From there, colorful horses quickly became part of the landscape.

As settlers moved West in the 1800s, so did their flashy horses. It was here that these horses made a name with their innate cow-sense. The beautiful horses were also prized by area Native Americans.

In 1962, a woman named Rebecca Lockhart, Gainesville, organized an association that was dedicated to preserving the Paint Horse’s unique color and stock-type conformation. The organization eventually became known as the American Paint Horse Association (APHA).

Today, APHA is headquartered in Fort Worth and, since Lockhart’s first hand-written registration, has collected pedigree, progeny and show records for more than 928,000 Paint Horses.

While Paints come in a large variety of colors, there are only three specific coat patterns: overo, tobiano and tovero.

Tobiano
Pronounced “tow-be-yah’-no,” the tobiano pattern usually exhibits several characteristics:

• 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.

Overo
Pronounced “oh-vair’-oh,” the overo pattern usually exhibits another set of characteristics:

• 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.

Tovero
Pronounced “tow-vair’-oh,” the tovero pattern is a combination of both the overo and tobiano genes. These horses tend to have their own unique characteristics:

• Dark pigmentation around the ears, which may expand to cover the forehead and/or eyes.
• One or both eyes blue.
• Dark pigmentation around the mouth, which may extend up the sides of the face and form spots.
• Chest spot(s) in varying sizes. These may also extend up the neck.
• Flank spot(s) ranging in size. These are often accompanied by smaller spots that extend forward across the barrel and up over the loin.
• Spots, varying in size, at the base of the tail.

While the colorful coat pattern is essential to the identity of the breed, American Paint Horses have strict bloodline requirements and a distinctive stock-horse body type. To be eligible for registry, a Paint’s sire and dam must be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds). At least one parent must be a registered American Paint Horse. To be eligible for the Regular Registry, the horse must also exhibit a minimum amount of white hair over unpigmented (pink) skin.

These good looks, combined with stock-type conformation, athletic ability and gentle nature, make the American Paint Horse an investment in quality. And, APHA doesn’t just track your horse’s records, it also offers members a great variety of special benefits, like reduced rates on business transactions, competition incentives and discounts through corporate sponsors.

So, now is a great time to become part of the Paint Horse family. Learn more at apha.com or call 817-834-2742.