What is the defining characteristic of a Pinto horse?

The defining characteristic of a Pinto horse is the presence of large patches of white combined with one or more other colors. This coloration sets Pinto horses apart from other breeds and coloration patterns. The contrasting colors create a vibrant and striking appearance that is easily recognizable, making them popular in various equestrian disciplines and recreational riding. The Pinto pattern can come in different forms, such as overo or tobiano, which refer to the specific way the colors are distributed on the horse's body, but the key feature remains the significant amount of white integrated with other colors.

Other options describe different horse patterns or colors but do not define the Pinto breed. Tri-colored patterns usually refer to a mixture including white alongside two additional colors, whereas black and white stripes do not apply to horses at all, suggesting a different kind of animal altogether. A fleabitten gray coat refers to a gray horse with specks of darker hairs, which is unrelated to the Pinto pattern.