Tobiano

Chestnut
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Bay
Palomino
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Smoky Black
Double Dilute
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Tobiano
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Mixed Pinto
Unknown & Extinct
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Tobiano is the most well known of the pinto patterns and is the pattern most identified with the Chincoteague Pony. Tobianos always have four white legs, except in extremely rare instances. Tobianos will also always have solid heads, normal star and blaze markings notwithstanding. White will usually cross the back between the tail and the ears. The chest and the flank will usually be solid. Tobianos often have manes and tails with multiple colors. Chestnut tobianos with white tails often have dark tail tips that look black. Extreme minimal tobianos will have little or no body spotting and four white legs. Tobianos must have a tobiano parent in order to be tobiano. Homozygous tobianos will always produce tobianos, and they must have two tobiano parents in order to be homozygous. There is not a genetic test to determine if a pony is tobiano, but there is one to determine whether or not it is homozygous for tobiano.


Dark bay tobiano with a mixed color tail. Witch Doctor, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Two chestnut tobianos. Wild stallion and mare, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Chestnut minimal tobiano. Wild mare, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Palomino tobiano in foal coat. Tornado's Prince of Tides, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Sunfaded black very minimal tobiano in foal coat. He only has a few body spots. Ace of Spades, Picture by and courtesy of Matt DesJardins.

Tobianos can have what is called ink spots/cat tracks/paw prints and they are often an indicator of a homozygous tobiano, but not always. Pigmented skin that outlines the color are called shadow or halo markings. Dark spots on a pony’s white legs are called ermine spots. Ermine spots can occur on any leg that is white, not just on tobiano’s.


Bay tobiano+sabino with extensive ink spots. Freckles, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Bay tobiano+sabino with halo marked ink spots. He is thought to be homozygous for tobiano based on his produce record, as he is wild is is doubtful a genetic test will ever be done. Miracle Man, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Black tobiano+sabino with halo markings and ermine spots. Misty's Morning Glory, Picture by Amanda Geci.


Bay tobiano+sabino with ink spots. Chincoteague Minnow, Picture by and courtesy of Kyley Hellhake DiLuigi.

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