Pinto basic information

One of the most frequently asked question regarding the Pinto is "what is the difference between Pintos and Paints?" Simply put: The Paint Horse (registered by the American Paint Horse Association) is limited to horses of documented and registered Paint, Quarter Horse, or Thoroughbred breeding. The difference in eligibility between the two registries has little to do with color or pattern; only bloodlines. While most Paints can be double registered as Stock or Hunter type Pintos, the Pinto Horse Association (PtHA) also allows for the registration of miniature horses, ponies, and horses derived from other breed crosses, such as Arabian, Morgan, Saddlebred, and Tennessee Walking Horse, to name a few.

The color requirements for a registered Pinto is predicated on the age of the animal at time of application. Only four square inches of cumulative white in the qualifying zone is required to register a horse with the PtHA (only three inches for ponies and two square inches for miniatures.) Animals with insufficient "qualifying color" to be accepted in the regular color division but with at least two or more "Pinto" characteristics or solid colored animals with documented and registered pinto-colored sire and/or dam may be eligible for registration in the Breeding Stock Division.

There are two recognized Pinto color patterns: Tobiano (Toe-bee-ah'-no) and Overo (O-vair'-o). The Tobiano pattern appears to be white with large spots of color, often overlapping on animals with a greater percentage of color than white. Spots of color typically originate from the head, chest, flank, and buttock, often including the tail. Legs are generally white, giving the appearance of a white horse with large or flowing spots of color. Generally, the white crosses the center of the back or topline of the horse. It is considered necessary to have a Tobiano parent to achieve a Tobiano foal. The Overo pattern appears to be a colored horse with jagged white markings usually originating on the animal's side or belly, spreading toward the neck, tail, legs, and back. The color appears to frame the white spots. Thus, an Overo often has a dark tail, mane, legs, and backline. Bald or white faces often accompany the Overo pattern. Some Overos show white legs along with splashy white markings, seemingly comprised of round, lacy white spots. White almost never crosses the back or topline. A horse of Pinto coloration descendant from two solid colored parents of another typically solid colored pure breed is called a "crop-out" and is of the Overo pattern.

While PtHA accepts animals derived from many different approved breed/registry crosses, it does not accept animals with Appaloosa, Draft or Mule breeding and/or characteristics. Horse stallions must have both sire and dam registered with PtHA or another approved outcross registry. Pony/Miniature stallions must have at least one parent (sire or dam) registered with a recognized breed association [Effective 1-1-99]. Mares and Geldings can be registered on their qualifying color alone. PtHA accepts horses in four different height divisions: "Horse" for animals maturing over 56" in height at the withers; "Pony" for animals 56"and under, but over 34"; "Miniature" for animals 34" and under at maturity and "B Miniature" for animals over 34" but not exceeding 38" at maturity