The word tovero is a general term used to identify appaloosas with a spotted color pattern. Often, but not always, toveros have dark spots on a white background. There are four types of tovero horses, each with its own unique characteristics:
Overo: This is the most common type of tovero. Overos have a blanket pattern of dark spots spread across their body with white on the belly typically separating the back and hip spots.
Solid Blanket
A blanket overo's spots are confined below an imaginary horizontal line that runs across the widest part of the barrel to the bottom point of the shoulder and continues to the point of the hip. They often but do not always have four white socks.
Leopard
Leopard overos are covered with spots, the size of a dime or smaller. They usually but do not always have blue eyes and mottled skin as well.
Few Spot
Few Spot overos have the fewest number of spots and typically they appear only on hip, rump and tail. They may have white legs, face or belly but this lack of large solid colored areas and lack of large amounts of spots gives rise to their "Few Spot" name.
Blanket: Blanket toveros are characterized by a blanket-like pattern of dark spots covering the horse's back and hips, with white on the belly and legs.
Snowcap: Snowcap toveros have a dark head and neck with a white blanket covering their back and hips. They may or may not have spots on their hindquarters.
Leopard: Leopard toveros are covered with small, round spots all over their body. They may have white on their belly and legs, but their spots are always dark.
Varnish Roan: Varnish Roan toveros are white with a light colored overo pattern that blends into their body. They may look dark in the winter time and the spots may show during that season too.
Toveros are popular for their unique and striking appearance. They are often used for show, pleasure riding, and endurance riding.