The Pinto Horse & Pony Association Inc.

What is a Pinto

The pinto is a horse whose dual coloured coat pattern is compromised of white areas combined with another of the basic coat colours common to horses, making each pinto unique.

In Australia we have known the pinto as piebald's, which are black and white horses, while horses with white and any other colour have been called skewbald's.

The Pinto originates back to European horses via the Arabian strains, as Pinto markings appear in ancient art throughout the middle east. However evidence of the more dominant Tobiano pattern among the wild horses of the Russian Steppes suggest the introduction of Pinto colouring to Europe possibly as early as during the Roman Empire. The Pinto has traveled throughout the world and crossed over many oceans and introduced to our native stock producing flashy colour patterns as we know today.

The Pinto is from the Spanish word 'Pintardo' meaning painted, it has a reputation the world over for toughness and endurance. the distinctive colour of the Pinto is the result of a genetic strain which causes white areas combines with red or black areas on the skin. it reproduces consistently. The first date of a Pinto importation to Australia appears to be around the late 1700's.

One of the most frequently asked question regarding the Pinto is " What is the difference between Pinto and Paints ? " Simply put : The Paint Horse, registered by the Australian Paint Horse Association is limited to horses of documented and registered Paint, Quarter horse or Thoroughbred breeding.

the difference between the two has little to do with the colour, only the bloodlines.

Most Paints can be dual registered as Pinto's provided they have the correct colour requirements.

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