just got a horse, and i thought he was a paint, but he can gait! my instructor said he may be part Spotted Saddle horse, but i looked it up and he sounds just like one! please tell me what you think. you are welcome to ask q's about him, i will answer to the best of my ability.

You have a pinto-especially if he gaits.
But really just because you don't have registration papers stating he is a paint.
If he's a good horse his extra coloring is just a bonus.

The terms "Paint" and "Pinto" are often confused when referring to a horse with a light and dark coat pattern. In fact, they have different meanings. The Pinto Horse Association is a color registry, and Pintos can be any breed. Paints are APHA-registered horses that can prove parentage from one of the three approved registries AQHA, TB and APHA, as well as meet a minimum color requirement. While a loud-colored horse could be double-registered if it met the breed standards specified by each registry, the two registries are independent.

Paint is a breed and pinto is a color