Skewbald Horses for Sale

Browse Skewbald horses for sale online

There’s something instantly eye-catching about scrolling through an online marketplace and seeing a well-marked Skewbald horse pop up on the screen. Those patches of white against bay or chestnut catch the light differently in every photo, and for many buyers, that distinctive pattern is exactly what makes them stop and click. Whether you’re browsing Skewbald horses for sale online or preparing to list one, understanding the specifics of this colouring will help you make better decisions and better deals.

Technically, “Skewbald” refers to any horse with white patches on a non-black base coat – usually bay, chestnut, or similar shades. It’s a colour pattern, not a breed, and is usually produced by tobiano, overo, or other spotting genes. In the UK and much of Europe, you’ll see Skewbald used alongside Piebald (black and white); in North America, the same horses are typically described as “pinto” with bay tobiano, chestnut overo, and so on. You’ll find Skewbald colouring in native types, cobs, Warmbloods, Irish Sport Horses, ponies, and sometimes in more specialised breeds like Arab crosses or sport ponies. Some studbooks accept coloured horses freely, while others are more restrictive, so registration is always worth checking.

In the marketplace, Skewbald horses can draw strong interest, especially in disciplines where ring presence matters: show cob classes, working hunter, riding club, low- to mid-level eventing, dressage to medium level, and of course leisure and hacking. Some buyers love loud, high-contrast patches; others prefer more evenly distributed white or minimal markings for ease of keeping clean. In some traditional circles, solid colours still command a slight premium at the very top levels, but for the majority of amateur and pleasure riders, a well-put-together Skewbald with a good temperament is just as desirable, and sometimes more so because they stand out in photos and at competitions. As both buyer and seller, it pays to think of the horse first, the colouring second – but use that colouring intelligently when navigating the online market.

Finding and purchasing Skewbald horses online

When you search for Skewbald horses online, you’re usually looking for a blend of aesthetics and practicality. Some buyers want a Skewbald specifically for coloured showing classes; others simply like the look of a bay and white cob for hacking, or a smartly marked sport horse for Riding Club events. On international platforms, it helps to search both “Skewbald” and “pinto,” and to add terms like “bay and white gelding,” “tobiano mare,” or “coloured cob for sale” so you don’t miss horses listed under different regional terminology.

As you scroll through listings, pay close attention to how the colour is presented. Good adverts for Skewbald horses will include clear, natural-light photos from both sides, front and back, plus at least one full-body shot standing square. Indoor stable photos under yellow light can distort the base colour, so ask for outdoor photos if you’re unsure whether you’re seeing bay, liver chestnut, or something else. Videos are invaluable: a simple walk-around clip, filmed in daylight, will show you the distribution of white, leg markings, and any odd patches that might be hidden in still photos. If showing in coloured classes is your goal, ask for wet-coat photos or video after work; this can reveal scars or old rubs that might show up in the ring.

Price-wise, Skewbald horses follow the same basic rules as any other: age, training, soundness, and temperament come first. In the current online market, a straightforward, unbacked Skewbald youngster from 2–3 years might sit around £2,000–£4,000 in the UK or €3,000–€6,000 in much of Europe, depending on breeding. Backed and riding all three paces with basic schooling usually ranges from £4,000–£8,000 (€5,000–€10,000). Well-produced competition types, especially attractive coloured cobs, Irish types, or Warmblood crosses competing successfully, often sit between £8,000–£18,000 (€10,000–€20,000), with particularly talented or proven horses going higher. Colour alone can add a small premium in leisure and riding club markets, but it can’t compensate for poor conformation or a tricky brain.

Before you travel, ask sellers specific questions: is the horse registered as Skewbald or simply “coloured”? Which studbook or coloured horse registry? Do they know the pattern (tobiano, overo, sabino)? If you plan to breed, request photos of parents and any previous offspring to understand likely colour genetics. For remote purchases, arrange a live video viewing where you can see the horse being caught, groomed, tacked, and ridden in real time. Ask the seller to walk slowly around the horse so you can study the markings, check for pink skin around eyes and muzzle (relevant for sunburn management), and verify that the horse in the video matches the horse in the photos. A pre-purchase veterinary exam is non-negotiable, and you can ask the vet to confirm any colour-related details that matter for your planned use and registration.

Selling Skewbald horses on online marketplaces

When you’re selling a Skewbald horse online, remember that your buyers are often browsing with a picture in their mind: the bay and white cob for hacking, the smartly marked coloured for show classes, or the striking sport horse that looks good in every competition photo. Breed enthusiasts, riding club riders, families, and amateur competitors frequently filter by “coloured” or “Skewbald,” so your listing needs to be both visible in search and honest in detail. Think about who your horse actually suits, and write as if you’re speaking directly to that rider.

Good photography can make or break a Skewbald advert. Aim for natural daylight, a clean, uncluttered background, and a well-groomed horse without over-filtering the images. Stand the horse square on both sides and take full-body shots; include close-ups of any particularly attractive patches or unique markings, but also any scars or quirks. Videos should show walk, trot, and canter in both directions, plus mounting, transitions, and ideally a hack or small course if relevant. Because you’re selling a Skewbald, include at least one slow walk-around video in bright light so buyers can verify the markings and base colour. In the description, use natural SEO-friendly phrases like “Skewbald gelding for sale,” “bay and white cob,” “coloured mare for showing,” and “buy Skewbald horse online,” but keep the tone conversational rather than stuffed with keywords.

Pricing a Skewbald horse online should reflect the same fundamentals as any sale horse, with a realistic nod to colour demand. At the leisure and riding club level, a well-marked, safe Skewbald can sometimes command a 5–15% premium over a comparable solid-coloured horse, simply because buyer interest is high. On most major marketplaces, you’ll see backed but green Skewbalds around £4,000–£7,000, and more established all-rounders at £6,000–£12,000, with exceptional competition records pushing higher. If your horse is priced above the general run of Skewbald horses for sale, explain why: registration with a coloured horse society, proven results in coloured classes, or particularly desirable bloodlines. Include details buyers expect, such as height, age, breed or type, registration status, known pattern (if you know it), level of training, show record, and any management needs like fly masks for pink noses.

From a marketing and SEO perspective, think like a buyer typing into a search bar. Use variations: “Skewbald cob,” “coloured all-rounder,” “bay and white gelding,” “Skewbald horse for hacking and fun rides,” woven into natural sentences. Mention relevant disciplines: “ideal for riding club, low-level eventing, dressage, and coloured showing classes.” Most importantly, be transparent; serious buyers will appreciate clear information about temperament, soundness history, and any quirks just as much as they appreciate attractive markings. When your photos, price, and description line up honestly, you’ll attract the right kind of enquiries and give your Skewbald horse the best chance of finding a suitable, long-term home through the online marketplace.