External characteristics of a pinto horse. Pinto - description and photo of the horse breed. Pinto Facts

12.07.2016

Height - Pinto horses are divided into two subspecies according to size: true pintos grow to the level of the withers above 140 cm, pinto ponies with growth to the level of the withers from 86 cm to 140 cm, as well as mini horses with growth less than those previously indicated.

Color - Pinto horses do not imply a variety of colors. They stand out in one breed solely because of the same type of color - their spotting. According to their classification, pinto suits are black (Tobiano) and other possible colors (Overo). To get a black colt, one of his parents must have the same suit. Other colors of pinto horses are divided into color subtypes:

  • Frame - a structural type of suit, namely horizontal stripes of white in their clear boundaries, spotting focuses on the neck, head and sides of a blue-eyed individual;
  • Splashed - a splashed type of suit, when spots with undefined edges are scattered all over the body of an individual, and the head itself is mainly covered with white fur;
  • Sabino - sabino, the individual has a slight spotting on the body when the head, lower section belly and limbs completely covered with white fur.

Exterior - this breed of horses includes all horses and ponies that are distinguished by a spotted color. There are no clear requirements for the exterior of horses of this breed, so any other breed groups can be included in this composition: walking and riding horses, characteristic and hunting horses. Due to the fact that other representatives of horses can join the breed only due to the spotting of the suit, the Pinto breed is not recognized until today at the world level.

Description of the breed

The origin of the color of the Pinto breed is distinguished by the specific and unusual coloring of horses, and the name of the breed comes from the Spanish term pintado, which exactly means the word "colored". It is piebaldness that distinguishes these animals from other representatives of the breeds. In general, riding horses are in a heterogeneous group, implying an exclusively Spanish origin. Despite this, historians and scientists have been tirelessly trying to clarify the true origin of pinto horses for a long time. And many of them are adherents of the version that the pinto breed originated from the countries of the Middle East.

Today, the pinto stud book has two recorded variants of such horses - Black Overo, Tobiano and all other colors. Overo - horses with a chic piebald suit, which they receive from one of the parents of the same color. Tobianos are horses with blue eyes, which are dominated by white, especially on the muzzle.

Today, an American special organization is engaged in breeding pinto horses, which enters any individuals with piebald into the register of pinto horses. There is another related organization that keeps records of paint horses, here only individuals are assumed that have an English thoroughbred riding breed or quarter in their pedigree. All of them have a height of 144 cm and up to 155 cm to the level of the withers. Outwardly, they are characterized by stateliness and presentability, strong muscles and a powerful physique, a beautiful head and a pronounced muscular croup.

To be included in the Pinto breed registry, a horse must meet the following criteria - at least 10 cm2 for the head of a true horse and 7.5 cm2 for a pony, at least 5 cm2 for miniature individuals. At the current time, 125,000 individuals have been recorded in the register of the pinto population. According to the color of the pinto, such individuals fall: hinnies, ponies, mules and miniature horses.

History of appearance

The very first mention of horses with a spotted color was recorded as early as 3-4 millennium BC. As historians say, such animals were depicted in the works of art of Ancient Egypt. In addition, archaeologists have repeatedly carried out excavations, as a result of which the remains of spotted horses were found as early as 3-5 millennia BC.

But piebald horses received the largest and most significant distribution during the late Middle Ages, in Europe. These bright presentable horses were loved and bred in the courts of emperors, but after a while the values ​​changed. Thoroughbred riding horses became popular, for example, Andalusians and a little later English Thoroughbreds. Thus, for some time, indicators of pedigree and selection began to be valued, and the color and colors faded into the background in importance.

Over time, among riding horses, spotted individuals were less and less common, due to this, the demand for solid horses grew. And surprisingly mastering North America coincided with the rejection of spotted horses, due to this, it was these refusenik horses that became the basis for the formation of the modern Pinto breed.

The Indians living in North America did not go into the details of the pedigrees and bloodlines of horses, much more they paid attention to the external data of individuals. And it was only through their efforts that the breed gained distribution of its type, even at the time of the importation of other horses and selection work.

Today, American horse breeding is carrying out breeding work, due to this they have identified a subtype of pinto. Purebred representatives of piebald horses are referred to the stud book of the breed. All other representatives of the Pinto breed can be horses of any origin, differing only in spotting. From this group of horses, horses of the breed separated much earlier.

Lifestyle in nature

Character and disposition

Of course, it is difficult to accurately describe the habits and character of pinto horses, since horses are in its group. different types and origin. But in general, individuals from the natural group of pintos are distinguished by friendliness towards their fellow herdsmen and people, riding horses are diligent and diligent. The energy of the horse and its obedience make it in demand in modern society.

Keeping at home requires careful care. In the warm season, the horse must be cleaned and washed. In cold seasons, you can clean horses with a paper clip. Tail and mane of an individual, hooves and nostrils require regular cleaning. After walking, the nostrils should be washed and moisture accumulation removed. The stable should be ventilated as often as possible, it should be dry and clean. In winter, the room must be heated.

Feeding

They feed such a horse, as a rule, at least 3-4 times a day. In addition to the main grazing in meadows and fields, it is better to stock up on hay and grass in the stable. It is imperative to ensure that the animal receives vitamins and important trace elements with food, as well as mineral supplements. Horses of this type have a delicate and fragile digestive system, so feeding must occur at the same time on a strict schedule. The amount of feed at a time should not exceed the norm, and a strict drinking regimen must also be observed. Water should be given at room temperature.

  1. The smallest horse in the world was a pinto. He weighed only 2.7 kg at birth, and his height did not exceed 36 cm. Today, Einstein weighs only 28 kg.
  2. If in the late Middle Ages pintos were considered second-rate horses without blood and pedigree, today these horses adorn national holidays and competitions.
  3. The origin of the pinto is attributed to Spanish horses, among which piebald individuals were most often found.
  4. The Pinto breed is considered the largest in terms of livestock.

How much is this horse

If earlier pinto horses were considered second-rate, as they did not have a clear pedigree and purity of blood, today these animals are in great demand due to their unique exterior, namely piebald color. In general, the cost of one horse from this series will be from 3 to 10 thousand euros, in rubles, prices range from 80,000 to 200,000 rubles.

The following factors affect the cost of one individual:

  • health status;
  • age and gender;
  • availability of awards and special talents;
  • relation to a particular pedigree;
  • remoteness of the supplier from the buyer;
  • popularity and prestige of the stud farm;
  • availability of documents and certificates from a veterinarian and more.

pinto phenomenon

Today, pinto horses are in high demand all over the world. Even at the beginning of their history, these unique motley horses were not recognized in society and were classified as second-class representatives of horses. Previously, horses of thoroughbred riding breeds were in the price, today “Indian horses” due to coloring are the largest breed in terms of livestock and popularity.

The use of horses has no boundaries, they participate in competitions and performances, are used in tourism. Many famous films involve shooting with skewbald horses. And in the States, the pinto breed is generally popularized to the whole pinto world: mules and ponies, horses and. And regardless of the fact that the breed has not received official recognition, it is supported by an exceptional love for its color and spotting.

In that case, to be honest, pinto horses are not a separate horse breed. This is simply the designation of a rather specific coloring of these beauties. Nothing more and nothing less.

In the event that Americans say this about these horses, they will instantly be upset. And not at all because people from that country do not realize the obvious difference between a skewbald and a skewbald Morgan.

It's just that in America, such a reverent attitude towards accounting, the process of breeding and preserving in the future, all spotted horses, that the inhabitants of the country, willy-nilly, start with the perception of these handsome men as a separate breed. And how can you figure it out? The name of this breed comes from a Spanish word that sounds no different than Pintado.

And the meaning of this word is precisely “painted”. This heterogeneous group of riding horses, which have a predominantly Spanish origin, differs from all other animals of this plan by the presence of a certain piebaldness. It should be noted that insane debates about the fact of the origin of piebald horses are already being waged among all scientific minds, for a very long time, without abating to this day. One part of the researchers is led to believe that the homeland of these animals is in the Middle East.

For the reason that the drawings are dated back to the middle of the second millennium BC! But the rest of the bright minds are used to insisting that the roots of animals should be found precisely in the Eurasian steppes. Actually, such people say that it was from there that the Pinto horses managed to penetrate into Europe, even in the ancient Roman times.

In any case, in the New World, skewbald horses appear in the sixteenth century. Actually, most of these animals were brought here by the Spaniards. Well, in 1519, Hernando Cortes arrived in the USA. In that case, according to the expert, the very first piebald pinto horses arrived with him. And so, these glorious animals, finding themselves on the North American continent, were able to immediately like all the indigenous people of this area.

This happened due to their “camouflage” unusual coloring. Thus, the horses, for a long time, have become a true symbol of the Wild West. In particular, the "painted" handsome men managed to please, namely the Comanches, who were the most warlike of all existing prairie riders. It should be noted that the Pinto horse breed unites in the USA, absolutely all horses and ponies with a piebald suit.

For this reason, absolutely no cardinal restrictions in this American breed simply do not exist. But, despite all of the above, some specific classification of these animals is still available. Actually, in your own way appearance, all pinto horses are divided into several types at once. This is a riding type, to which the representatives of the Tennessee and American riding horse breeds, Shetland ponies and others are related.

The hunting type, which includes piebald horses, as well as Welsh ponies and other animals close to them in their own exterior. The third type is walking. These are Morgans and Arabs. Well, the fourth, the so-called "pedigree species". This is the same type that is most characteristic, perfect for all pintos. And it also includes one of the most loved by all American people horse breeds- quarterhorse.

Running pinto horses

Characteristic

In addition to all this, pinto breeds are also divided into horses that are from one hundred and forty-two centimeters at the withers and above. Then a pony, from eighty-six to one hundred and forty-two centimeters at the withers. And miniature horses that happened to be less than eighty-six centimeters at the withers. And also there is a kind of miniature B, from eighty-six to ninety-six centimeters at the withers. Each of the types has its own specific standards and features, for special shows held on a regular basis.

And in the UK and the US, all skewbald horses are divided into two separate species. These are animals with a basis for the black suit, and with a basis for all other suits. And in Russia, in the process of describing piebald horses, depending on the most important suit, terms are used, such as red-piebald, crow-piebald, bay-piebald and others. There are only two main spotted patterns in piebald horses. The first of these, tobiano, is the most common type of spotting, due to the action of a gene with an identical name.

Snow-white spots, this case, are scattered throughout the horse's body, and one of them, in an indispensable way, will cross the line of the horse's spine. The head, in this case, is painted in the main color, but the snow-white shade of the blaze is also not rare here. In the case of the maximum manifestation of piebaldness, the spots may well occupy the entire surface, leaving only the tummy and head dark.

Under the main suit, there is often a gray skin, but under the snow-white hairs, pink skin. The second gene that can cause piebaldness is overo. Foals of the homozygous type that are born with him have pink skin of a depigmented type, light eyes.

But they die, only within forty-eight hours. And horses of the heterozygous type can survive. Their body is covered with snow-white spots that capture both the stomach and the head. However, they do not cross the line of the horse's spine. Between the main dark suit and the pezhins, there are also transitional areas of the roan type.

In addition to all this, against the background of snow-white marks, small areas of the main shade may well appear. On the heads of such horses, unlike the same tobiano, large snow-white marks can often be present. These are grooves and bald patches. Well, so are the marks of a different plan. Well, on the legs, on the contrary, there are either small marks, or they occupy completely the entire area. And the skin under the snow-white hairs, a pink hue.

Actually, many horses with the presence of the overo gene may have "magpie eyes" (which have a blue cornea), or multi-colored. Despite the widespread opinion, in horses with the presence of the tobiano gene, the named eyes are found, but in an extremely rare way. There are several types of pictures at once in horses with overo. Well, first of all, these are over-white spots that exist on horse necks and on the sides of animals, "framed" by the main suit. A rarer species is the splashed white.


Bay pinto horse

In this case, the head of a pinto horse will be covered with a snow-white “lantern”, and the tail will be partially, or completely and completely, snow-white. But from the tummy to the barrels, a huge area of ​​\u200b\u200ba snow-white shade will spread. And all this in such a way that at times they can remain dark, only the ears and back. Finally, sabino, which is an incredibly beautiful, albeit very common species.

Snow-white marks on the head, sometimes entirely and completely, covering it in these horses. Also certain marks on the legs. And, as if "splattered", all over the horse's body, snow-white spots. In principle, in the same animal, two genes may occur at once.

That is, both overo and tobiano. Actually, one of them was inherited from the father, and the other from the mother. This rare variant of piebald is called tovero. And he is able to bestow the most unusual of all existing options for the distribution of snow-white spots on a horse's body. Rarely seen in Pintos and Appaloosians, single-colored foals may well be born.

The process of crossing two horses with the overo gene is fraught with the death of a possible beautiful offspring. In particular, such a situation is dangerous, in which both parents, in the presence of a frame overo, are present. And every fourth baby that will appear from such a variant of crossing will surely die during the very first hours of its own life. An identical result also happens during the process of mating two horses with a tovero and a frame overo.

Strictly speaking, pinto is not a breed, but just a designation for a specific color. No more and no less. However, if you tell an American about this, he will immediately be offended. And not because he does not understand the difference between a piebald Morgan and a piebald Arab. No, it’s just that in the USA they are so reverent about the registration, conservation and breeding of spotted horses that all of them willy-nilly begin to be perceived as one breed - the Pinto breed. What is it?

The name comes from the Spanish word Pintado, which means "painted". This is a heterogeneous group of riding horses, predominantly of Spanish origin, differing from the rest in the presence of piebaldness. I must say that disputes about the origin of pinto horses have been ongoing among scientists for a long time and have not subsided so far. Some researchers believe that the Middle East is the birthplace of these animals, because the images of spotted horses here date back to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Others insist that their roots should be sought in the Eurasian steppes, from where they allegedly penetrated into Europe in Roman times. Be that as it may, piebald horses appeared in the New World in the 16th century, and most of them were brought here by the Spaniards. In 1519, Hernando Cortes arrived in America, and with him, according to Diaz del Castillo, the first piebald animals.

Once on the North American continent, spotted horses immediately attracted the indigenous people for their unusual "camouflage" coloring and for a long time became a symbol of the Wild West. Especially the "painted" liked the Comanches - the most warlike horsemen of the prairies.

The pinto breed unites all horses and ponies of pinto color in America, so there are no strict exterior restrictions in it. However, a certain classification still exists. In appearance, all pintos are divided into several types: 1) riding type (skewbald representatives of the American riding and Tennessee breed, hackney, Shetland ponies, etc.); 2) hunting type (spotted thoroughbred riding horses, Welsh ponies and other animals close to them in appearance); 3) walking type (Arabs and Morgans); 4) "breed type", that is, the type most characteristic of the Pinto (this, of course, included one of the breeds most beloved by Americans - the Quarter Horse). In addition, all pintos are divided into horses (142 cm at the withers and above), ponies (86-142 cm at the withers), miniature horses (below 86 cm at the withers) and miniature Bs (86-96 cm at the withers). Each type has its own standards for regular shows.

In the USA and Great Britain, skewbald horses are divided into two types: with a basis for a black suit - Piedald; from the main to all other suits (bay, red, nightingale, palomino, etc.) - Skewbald. In our country, when describing skewbald horses, depending on the main suit, they use the terms: red-skewbald, bay-skewbald, black-skewbald, etc. There are two main spotted patterns in skewbald horses. Firstly, tobiano (Tobiano, TO) is the most common type of spot location, due to the action of the gene of the same name. White spots in this case are scattered throughout the body and one of them will certainly cross the line of the spine. The head is always painted in the main color, but white blazes are also not uncommon here. With the maximum manifestation of piebaldness, spots can occupy almost the entire surface, leaving only the head and belly dark. Under the main suit, the skin is usually gray, and under the white hair - pink.

The second gene that causes piebaldness is overo (Overo, OVov). Homozygous foals born with it have pink, depigmented skin, light eyes, and die within 48 hours. Heterozygous horses survive. Their body is covered with large white spots, which also capture the head and stomach, but do not cross the line of the spine. There are transitional roan areas between the pezhin and the base of the dark suit. In addition, small areas of the main color may appear against the background of white marks. Unlike Tobiano, on the head of such horses there are often large white marks (bald patches, blazes, etc.), but on the legs, the marks, on the contrary, are either small or occupy the entire area. The skin under the white hair is pink; many horses with the overo gene have multi-colored or "magpie eyes" (with blue corneas), especially if they are surrounded by a white spot. Contrary to popular belief, horses with the tobiano gene also have such eyes, but very rarely.

There are several types of drawings in horses with overo. Firstly, frame over - white spots on the sides and on the neck of the horse "framed" in the main suit. More rare is the type of splashed white. In this case, a large white “lantern” covers the head, the tail is partially or completely white, and a large white area extends from the abdomen to the sides, so much so that sometimes only the back and ears remain dark. And finally, sabino is a very beautiful, albeit common option: white marks on the head, sometimes completely covering it, marks on the legs, part and, as it were, white spots “splattered” all over the body.

In principle, one animal can have both genes - both tobiano and overo - one of which is inherited from the father, and the other from the mother. Such a very rare variant of piebaldness is called tovero (Tovero) and can give the most incredible options for the spread of white spots throughout the body. Occasionally, Pintos, like Appaloosas, can have single-colored foals.

Crossing two horses with the overo gene is fraught with the death of offspring. The situation is especially dangerous when both parents have the frame overo type - every fourth foal that appears from such a crossing will die within the first hours of life. The same result will be when mating two horses with frame overo and tovero.

Many breed standards rule out or until recently ruled out the possibility of spotting and "excessive" white spots in animals. Such horses were not registered and were withdrawn from breeding work. So, for example, skewbald horses were literally expelled from the Arabian and quarter-mile breeds. They received the right of official registration only after DNA analysis proved that Arabian breed the sabino color is really characteristic, and the quarterhorse is sabino, overo and tobiano. But for thoroughbred riding horses, piebaldness is still considered unacceptable. All this led to the fact that the Americans, outraged by such “injustice”, created in 1984 an official shelter for the “humiliated and insulted” – the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), The Pinto Horse Association of America , PtHA) and several registration books for skewbald animals.

In order to be registered as a pinto, an animal must meet the minimum color requirements: the total area of ​​white spots on the legs and/or head cannot be less than 10 cm2 for horses, 7.5 cm2 for ponies and 5 cm2 for miniature horses. Today, about 125,000 animals from more than 50 countries of the world are registered with the Association, and their number is increasing daily.

At the same time, do not confuse American painted (Paint Horse) and pinto, as is often done out of ignorance. The difference between the two may seem far-fetched, but in the US they are clearly separated. Pintos are piebald horses and ponies of any breed (except heavy trucks), but for registration as Paint horse horse must be only one of two breeds - Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. In other words, every American painted horse is a Pinto, but not every Pinto is an American Painted horse.

Today, thanks to the unusual coloring and fame of "Indian horses", the pinto is rapidly growing in popularity. They are happy to be filmed in films, perform on them in “country-style” competitions, and are used in private households and attractions for tourists. In America, there is a whole world of pinto: pinto horses, hinnies, mules, ponies and mini-horses - whoever the breeders do not paint in the “national” piebald suit! Pinto can be found on racetracks, in show jumping and dressage, in the circus and equestrian shows. Yes, for now, unlike, say, the Appaloosa, this is just a color breed, the official existence of which is supported only by the love of Americans for pinto horses. But who knows what the future holds for her...

Kira Stoletova

For many centuries, the horse has remained a true friend and reliable assistant to man. Under the condition of a caring attitude, this beautiful four-legged creature will repay with devotion and friendship.

To date, there are several dozen breeds of horses in hippology. This article is devoted to such of them as the Pinto breed.

Breeding history

The name of the riding breed is due to the Spanish adjective "pintado", which means "painted" in translation. Scientists have not yet come to a consensus on which countries the breed originates from. Some researchers believe that Spain is still her homeland, others are inclined to the countries of the Middle East.

The first mention of these bright, colorful beauties was made more than 3000 BC. e. Evidence of this is the remains found by archaeologists and images on works of ancient Egyptian art.

In the Middle Ages, the breed was among the favorites of the royal nobility, due to its remarkable appearance. You can admire it even now by looking at the photo of the Pinto horse.

Gradually, Pinto horses faded into the shadows, giving way to thoroughbred horses. But already in the first half of the 16th century, spotted stallions appeared along with the conquerors in the lands of the West.

It so happened that the Indians of North America owe their distribution as a riding breed, who valued in horses, first of all, external data. Owners of camouflage coloring, horses of the Pinto breed came to the liking of Indian riders. Such a horse could easily hide among the thickets of the forest. Endowing the animal with a special, magical meaning, the peoples of the New World revered it almost as a symbol of their land. Subsequently, the horse was saddled by the cowboys of the Wild West. It was on these lands that the breed developed, its sports skills improved, until the horses acquired the look that we can observe now.

To date, there are 2 American organizations involved in breeding Pinto horses. One of them enters in its register the entire range of spotted representatives, while the other recognizes only those in whose genus there are thoroughbred riding stallions. There are 125,000 registered individuals, both large horses and ponies that meet certain criteria. In the world registry, the breed is not assigned a place due to the controversial criteria for belonging to horses.

Features of appearance and character

Every piebald horse is referred to the Pinto breed, whether it is a riding Tennessee, a Walking Morgan or an Arab, a Welsh hunting pony, etc. Depending on the type of coloring, they are divided into the following varieties:

  1. Framework, which suggests the localization of spots on the neck, head and sides: white horizontal stripes are located in clear boundaries, which explains the name of the species.
  2. Splattered is covered with fuzzy spots all over the body, except for the head.
  3. Sabino has a monochromatic coloring in the head, lower abdomen and limbs, the rest of the areas are diluted with spots.

The total area of ​​​​variegation should be at least 10 square meters. cm, 7.5 sq. see pony, 5 sq. see - in miniature horses. Among the representatives of the Pinto breed, it is rare, but you can meet black horses. By looking online for photos of Pinto horses, you can also find pictures of them. There are isolated cases of the birth of a single-colored cub from motley parents.

Classification according to the stud book distinguishes, depending on the dominant gene, 2 types of Pinto horses: dark Overo with a white muzzle and blue eyes and light Tobiano. It is interesting that in the first ones, one hmm of white spots necessarily crosses the spine, but the head and stomach are always monophonic. In Overo, the situation is exactly the opposite. A hybrid bred by crossing two species is called Tobero. Its color can vary in the most unexpected way.

IN European countries the classification of the breed into a combination of 2 suits (for example, crow-savrasai) and the owner of marks on the main background (light with red stripes) has been adopted. Often inexperienced horse breeders confuse the spotted breed with the American Painted. However, only purebred riding individuals can belong to the second.

As for height, the criteria are as follows: the horse must be above 140 cm to the level of the withers, the ponies of this breed - from 86 to 140 cm: there are also miniature horses below 86 cm and miniature B - 86-96 cm. All Pinto horses are slender muscular handsome men with a large head and powerful chest, owners of blue eyes. Photos of the Pinto horse are easy to find on the Internet.

The Pinto horse breed includes representatives of different species in its contingent, therefore, the nature of the individuals will also vary. As a universal feature of Pinto horses, one can note friendliness, readiness to make contact with a person and live in a herd. The pet lends itself well to training, has a lively disposition, develops high speed in running. Such a horse is ideal as a horse.

They say that a good owner can be identified by the appearance of his pet. A well-groomed trotter with a fluttering mane is the pride of a horse breeder. The rules for caring for Pinto horses do not differ from the general principles for keeping horses.

It is extremely important to give the horse the opportunity to communicate with his relatives. In a stable where several individuals live, it should not be crowded. Animal comfort is very important. It is worth paying special attention to this.

The value of a horse in the market

The high demand for the Pinto horse is due to its attractive exterior. Confirmation of this is a photo of the Pinto horse. The price per individual will vary depending on indicators such as blood purity, pedigree, availability of awards, skills, age, gender and health of the animal.

Not so long ago, the demand for these beautiful horses was low due to the small number of thoroughbreds among the breed. However, now this horse is appreciated by amateurs and is one of the leading horses in popularity among breeders around the globe.

These horses are used not only for riding (experienced riders and amateurs), but also in agriculture as participants in competitions, in tourism, and for filming movies. The considered breed of beautiful Pintos is a vivid example of the fact that the origin is not the leading criterion for gaining people's love.

Origin: USA
Suit: piebald
Withers height: 1.45 - 1.55 m
Usage: saddle, harness

Strictly speaking, pinto- this is not a breed, but just a designation of a specific color. No more and no less. However, if you tell an American about this, he will immediately be offended. And not because he does not understand the difference between a piebald Morgan and a piebald Arab. No, it’s just that in the USA they are so reverent about the registration, conservation and breeding of spotted horses that all of them willy-nilly begin to be perceived as one breed - pinto breed. What is it?


The name comes from the Spanish word Pintado, which means "painted". This is a heterogeneous group of riding horses, predominantly of Spanish origin, differing from the rest in the presence of piebaldness. I must say that disputes about the origin of pinto horses have been ongoing among scientists for a long time and have not subsided so far. Some researchers believe that the Middle East is the birthplace of these animals, because the images of spotted horses here date back to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Others insist that their roots should be sought in the Eurasian steppes, from where they allegedly penetrated into Europe in Roman times. Be that as it may, piebald horses appeared in the New World in the 16th century, and most of them were brought here by the Spaniards. In 1519, Hernando Cortes arrived in America, and with him, according to Diaz del Castillo, the first piebald animals.


Once on the North American continent, spotted horses immediately attracted the indigenous people for their unusual "camouflage" coloring and for a long time became a symbol of the Wild West. Especially the "painted" liked the Comanches - the most warlike horsemen of the prairies.


The pinto breed unites all horses and ponies of pinto color in America, so there are no strict exterior restrictions in it. However, a certain classification still exists. In appearance, all pintos are divided into several types: 1) riding type(piebald representatives of the American riding and Tennessee breed, Hackne, Shetland ponies, etc.); 2) hunting type(skewbald thoroughbred riding horses, Welsh ponies and other animals close to them in appearance); 3) walking type(Arabs and Morgans); 4) "breed type" that is, the type most characteristic of the Pinto (this, of course, included one of the breeds most beloved by Americans - the Quarter Horse). In addition, all pintos are divided into horses (142 cm at the withers and above), ponies (86-142 cm at the withers), miniature horses (below 86 cm at the withers) and miniature Bs (86-96 cm at the withers). Each type has its own standards for regular shows.

In the USA and Great Britain, skewbald horses are divided into two types: with a basis for a black suit - Piedald; from the main to all other suits (bay, red, nightingale, palomino, etc.) - Skewbald. In our country, when describing skewbald horses, depending on the main suit, they use the terms: red-skewbald, bay-skewbald, black-skewbald, etc. There are two main spotted patterns in skewbald horses. Firstly, tobiano (Tobiano, TO) is the most common type of spot location, due to the action of the gene of the same name. White spots in this case are scattered throughout the body and one of them will certainly cross the line of the spine. The head is always painted in the main color, but white blazes are also not uncommon here. With the maximum manifestation of piebaldness, spots can occupy almost the entire surface, leaving only the head and belly dark. Under the main suit, the skin is usually gray, and under the white hair - pink.


The second gene that causes piebaldness is overo (Overo, OVov). Homozygous foals born with it have pink, depigmented skin, light eyes, and die within 48 hours. Heterozygous horses survive. Their body is covered with large white spots, which also capture the head and stomach, but do not cross the line of the spine. There are transitional roan areas between the pezhin and the base of the dark suit. In addition, small areas of the main color may appear against the background of white marks. Unlike Tobiano, on the head of such horses there are often large white marks (bald patches, blazes, etc.), but on the legs, the marks, on the contrary, are either small or occupy the entire area. The skin under the white hair is pink; many horses with the overo gene have multi-colored or "magpie eyes" (with blue corneas), especially if they are surrounded by a white spot. Contrary to popular belief, horses with the tobiano gene also have such eyes, but very rarely.


There are several types of drawings in horses with overo. Firstly, frame over - white spots on the sides and on the neck of the horse "framed" in the main suit. More rare is the type of splashed white. In this case, a large white “lantern” covers the head, the tail is partially or completely white, and a large white area extends from the abdomen to the sides, so much so that sometimes only the back and ears remain dark. And finally, sabino is a very beautiful, albeit common option: white marks on the head, sometimes completely covering it, marks on the legs, part and, as it were, white spots “splattered” all over the body.


In principle, one animal can have both genes - both tobiano and overo - one of which is inherited from the father, and the other from the mother. Such a very rare variant of piebaldness is called tovero (Tovero) and can give the most incredible options for the spread of white spots throughout the body. Occasionally, Pintos, like Appaloosas, can have single-colored foals.
Crossing two horses with the overo gene is fraught with the death of offspring. The situation is especially dangerous when both parents have the frame overo type - every fourth foal that appears from such a crossing will die within the first hours of life. The same result will be when mating two horses with frame overo and tovero.


Many breed standards rule out or until recently ruled out the possibility of spotting and "excessive" white spots in animals. Such horses were not registered and were withdrawn from breeding work. So, for example, skewbald horses were literally expelled from the Arabian and quarter-mile breeds. They received the right of official registration only after DNA analysis proved that the Arabian breed is indeed characterized by the sabino color, and the quarterhorse - sabino, overo and tobiano. But for thoroughbred riding horses, piebaldness is still considered unacceptable. All this led to the fact that the Americans, outraged by such “injustice”, created in 1984 an official shelter for the “humiliated and insulted” – the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), The Pinto Horse Association of America , PtHA) and several registration books for skewbald animals.


In order to be registered as a pinto, an animal must meet the minimum color requirements: the total area of ​​white spots on the legs and/or head cannot be less than 10 cm2 for horses, 7.5 cm2 for ponies and 5 cm2 for miniature horses. Today, about 125,000 animals from more than 50 countries of the world are registered with the Association, and their number is increasing daily.
At the same time, do not confuse American painted (Paint Horse) and pinto, as is often done out of ignorance. The difference between the two may seem far-fetched, but in the US they are clearly separated. Pintos are piebald horses and ponies of any breed (except heavy trucks), but to register as a Paint Horse, a horse must be only one of two breeds - a quarterhorse or a thoroughbred riding horse. In other words, every American painted horse is a Pinto, but not every Pinto is an American Painted horse.


Today, thanks to the unusual coloring and fame of "Indian horses", the pinto is rapidly growing in popularity. They are happy to be filmed in films, perform on them in “country-style” competitions, and are used in private households and attractions for tourists. In America, there is a whole world of pinto: pinto horses, hinnies, mules, ponies and mini-horses - whoever the breeders do not paint in the “national” piebald suit! Pinto can be found on racetracks, in show jumping and dressage, in the circus and equestrian shows. Yes, for now, unlike, say, the Appaloosa, this is just a color breed, the official existence of which is supported only by the love of Americans for pinto horses. But who knows what the future holds for her...



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