Horses

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Horses

Pinto

By Katherine Blocksdorf, About.com

Pinto Pony

This attractive pattern of color on a horse, pony, mule or donkey is called a pinto.

2005 K. Blocksdorf
Definition: A horse that is white that is patched with irregular areas of color is known as a pinto. Occasionally there are three colors--but every two color combination can be found; from black and white to palomino and white. There are many distinctions between the markings such as piebald, skewbald, tobiano and overo. A 'Paint' is a horse specifically bred to carry on the color trait and is a distinct breed in itself. Interestingly Arabian horses--a breed that has influenced every other light horse breed, are never found with a pinto coat.
Pronunciation: pin toe
Also Known As: Paint, tobiano, overo, piebald, skewbald
Examples: The pinto pony was an eye-catching black and white pattern.

Explore Horses

About.com Special Features

Horses

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Horses
  4. Glossary of Horse Terms
  5. A Glossary of Horse Colors
  6. A Glossary of Horse Colors and Markings-Horse Color Pinto

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.