Overo (or frame) pinto patterns were given the name because their pattern resembles a frame of color surrounding their white spots. The white patches are usually found on the rib cage and neck, but the expression has a wide range. Minimally expressed, overo animals can look solid with white face markings (sometimes with blue eyes), ranging to dominant white. At the pure white end of the spectrum, in its homozygous form it produces Overo Lethal White Syndrome.
Defining Characteristics
- The only pinto pattern that can produce animals with no white leg markings.
- They usually have at least one solid colored leg.
- Most of their white is found on the ribcage.
- White spots shouldn’t cross over the backbone between the withers and tailbone.
- White is usually jagged and arranged horizontally.
- Often have white on one or both sides of the neck.
- Will usually have a solid colored mane, unless a white spot crosses over the neck.
- White patches can have belton spots in them.
- Usually have white face markings which can be irregular like apron face, war bonnet or bald face.
- Sometimes face markings appear only on one side of the face.
- When there is a white spot over an eye, it tends to be blue.
Mistaken Identity
The classification of pinto patterns is a bit confusing, especially as they can work together to create lovely new types. This makes it difficult to visually identify, but the four main pinto types are distinct genetically. Both sabino and splashed white can look like or be called overo, but they are caused by different genes.
Pattern Examples
