Horses come in all shapes, sizes and types, with one major distinction – Colour.

Here in Ireland we use the terms "Piebald" or "Skewbald" to describe certain horse colouration.

In other countries you will see references to "Coloured" or "Paint" horses which in many cases these descriptions really have the same meaning.

Piebald / Skewbald - Colour Definition

A Skewbald and Piebald is defined by its external visible coat colouration and markings and not by its genetic makeup or type. They are therefore distinctive and unique from other “coloured”, splash marked, or extended leg marked breeds or types.

Piebald:

Large irregular patches of black and white (usually black on a white base).

Skewbald:

Any other colour or colours and white i.e. bay, brown, chestnut, grey, dun or palomino and white. There may be some black marks in addition.

Note:

• If a horse or pony has white markings on the head, legs, belly and / or mane or tail in isolation, it cannot be considered as a Piebald or Skewbald.
• Clyde markings do not constitute a Skewbald or Piebald in isolation from other colour.
• Pinto\Paint is an American term which generally means either Piebald or Skewbald; however there is also a technical difference in that they have different meanings. The Pinto Horse Association is a colour registry, and Pintos can be any breed. Paints are APHA-registered horses that can prove parentage from one of the three approved registries AQHA, TB and APHA, as well as meet a minimum colour requirement. While a loud-coloured horse could be double-registered if it met the breed standards specified by each registry, the two registries are independent.
  

While we offer an unbeatable ID (solid colour) registration service, we are primarily a coloured horse registry and as such we do place a value on colour and markings, but no single colour is valued above another and no single type is valued above any other type.