Overo used to be an all encompassing term for any of the
white pinto patterns that weren’t Tobiano. However with our ever
increasing knowledge of other patterns, Overo is usually reserved
exclusively for the Frame Overo. At this stage there has been no frame
overo Gypsy Horses.
It can be tested for as it is what is also called the
Lethal White Foal Syndrome. With one frame overo gene you can get a
spectacularly marked paint horse, however with two overo genes the foal
dies not long after birth.
Frame overo white tends to start in the middle, so an
overo horse may simply have a white splotch on the neck, or on the side of
the belly. More extreme markings means that there
is white all in the middle, framed by the base colour. More minimum
markings mean that overo can’t be identified and if you have a breed
that overo is known for, you should test before breeding
to a paint horse. This is so you do not run the risk of a
lethal white foal. Overo white markings are very jagged with rough edges. A
horse with only frame overo, no other white pattern genes will have dark
legs and usually no white over the spine unless a more extremely marked
individual.
There are no frame overo Gypsy Horses so I’ve just
grabbed a couple of other pics to show what it
is.
