Pintabians are graceful, animated horses that are known for
their beauty, stamina, versatility, and good disposition. Although Pintabians
can also be registered as Pintos, they are more specifically referred to as an
Arabian-type horse with spots. Pintabians have tobiano markings and over 99
percent Arabian blood. They became officially recognized in 1992 when the
Pintabian Horse Registry was established.
While its tobiano markings are one of its distinguishing
characteristics, the Pintabian is not a color breed. Arabian does not have a
spotted coat. In order to have a color pattern, there was a tobiano pinto, 7
generations ago that was crossed with an Arab. The tobiano color pattern is
defined as non-symmetrical, with large irregular color spots. As each
generation produced this spotted Arab, it was mated back to a 100% pure Arab to
gain back the Arabian bloodlines until the Pintabian was produced. Because the
tobiano gene is dominate, genetics experts have known that is was possible to
breed this pattern into an Arabian to produce a relatively pure strain of
tobiano horses with over 99% pure Arabian blood. Some of the conformation
standards include a beautifully formed head that is wide between the eyes with
a slightly concave profile. The eyes are bright, clear, and kind. The nostrils
are large but the muzzle small. The back is short, strong and muscular, the
chest broad and the shoulders long with good slope. The Pintabian stands
between 14.2 and 15.2 hands high.
The Pintabian Registry requires that all registered
Pintabians possess at least 99 percent Arabian blood. Although the Pintabian
must be of Arabian type, it is closely associated with the Pinto because of the
obvious coat similarities. The two types of coat of the Pinto are the overo and
tobiano. Overo consists of irregular black and white patches all over the body.
Tobiano consists of white and any other color except black.
About Pintabian Horses
