What is a distinguishing feature of an Overo Paint Horse's coloration?

An Overo Paint Horse is characterized by its unique coloring pattern, which is defined by the presence of white patches that do not cross the back between the withers and the tail. This means that the white patterns are often located on the sides of the horse and may cover the neck, body, and face, but they typically remain distinct and do not connect across the topline of the horse. This is a key visual trait that helps in identifying an Overo Paint Horse from other horse coloration patterns, such as the Tobiano, where white markings do cross the back.

In understanding the other options: white patterns crossing the back would indicate a different coloration pattern, while having all legs colored the same is more characteristic of solid-color horses rather than the unique patchy coloring of the Overo. Lastly, while an Overo may have varying amounts of white, the defining characteristic is that the patterns do not connect across the back, which sets the breed apart in terms of visual identification.