What is the main characteristic of a tobiano horse coat pattern?

The main characteristic of a tobiano horse coat pattern is that it features white that crosses the back. This distinctive pattern is marked by large, irregular patches of white and color, typically with white spots that span over the body of the horse. In tobiano-patterned horses, the white often extends over the back and can create a striking contrast with the darker colored areas.

This pattern is a result of specific genetic factors that influence how the white markings are distributed on the horse’s coat. The combination of color and white spots is more pronounced on the back compared to other coat patterns that may have different distributions of color and markings.

In contrast, options that describe dark colored legs only, a minimal white face, or a uniform color all over do not accurately capture the defining traits of the tobiano pattern. Dark legs alone would describe a different pattern, such as overo or other solid-colored horses, while a minimal white face might confuse it with a variety of other coat markings. A uniform color all over would indicate the absence of the unique contrasts that typify a tobiano horse. Thus, the characteristic of having a white that crosses the back is what distinguishes tobiano from other coat patterns.