How can you tell apart a Paint horse mare and a pinto mare? Its easy to mix them up, because they both have patched coats. How can you tell apart a Paint horse mare and a pinto mare? Its easy to mix them up, because they both have patched coats. Essentially, the only way to tell for sure is to consult the studbook: while pintos are only a colour breed, Paint horses are an official breed in their own right. Fun fact Paint horses have Thoroughbred ancestry, which is where they get their elegant build from.