History of the Pinto Horse

The Spanish were particularly fond of the Pinto and brought many of them to the new world.  This is how the American Pinto got its start.  Cortez had large Pinto herds which were used in his conquest of Mexico.  Over time, the herds and others like them ran with the wild horses of the Great Plains.  These horses formed the beginnings of the Mustang herds.

Native Americans favored the Pinto partly due to its coloring which blended well with tribal war paint.  The Pintos natural camouflage enhanced their concealment, making it the ideal combat horse.