It originates in the upper valley of the Volturno in the southern Italian region of Molise, close to its borders with Abruzzo, Campania and Lazio, and takes its name from the ancient Samnite tribe of the Pentri, who lived in that area.
[5]: 115 The population is concentrated in the comune of Montenero Val Cocchiara in the province of Isernia.
It is one of the fifteen indigenous horse "breeds of limited distribution" recognised by the Associazione Italiana Allevatori, the Italian breeders' association.
The surviving members live in the Pantano della Zittola, a broad plain extending over about 2200 hectares, lying on the edge of the Abruzzo National Park in the mountainous region between Abruzzo and Molise.
[8] There is no established conservation programme in the area and the horses there are raised as feral animals viewed as characteristic fauna of the land.