Information on the Paint Horse

A Tovero Paint horse

The Paint horse has been popularized over the years on television and through other media. They have large patches of color splattered around their body. In fact, the Paint horse was a type of horse identified by the patterns and colors on their coat before they were designated as a breed. Paint horse markings can be "loud" (very noticeable) or they can be subtle.

History

Paint horses have been around as long as their have been horses. In the mid-1900s, more interest was placed in breeding the horses for their markings, and a breeding club was formed. This eventually became even more specialized so that now an American Paint Horse is an actual breed of horse, while a Paint horse, or Pinto (a horse with pinto coloring), simply applies to the distinctive color pattern appearing in any breed of horse.

Types

The American Paint Horse must have the pedigree of a Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred, but carry the gene for the paint markings. This can become very confusing, as Paint horses can carry the gene but not display the markings. Horses that are registered as American Paint Horses with no marking are called "breeding stock." The desire is to get an American Paint Horse that has either the Tobiano, Overo or Tovero color patterns. Other types of Paint horses (not American Paint Horses) can be any breed of horse that carries the Paint patterns on their coats. These patterns are sometimes called "piebald" and "skewbald" but they are the same patterns as the American Paint Horse.

Features

A Paint horse carries a base horse coat color, such as bay, and then has other coat colors that are in irregular patterns over it. These markings can be white, brown, black or any other coat color, as long as they contrast with the base coat color. Markings can be as small as 6 inches, or as large as nearly the entire body. Paint horses often have one or two blue eyes when the white markings cross their face.

Identification

Identifying an American Paint Horse can really only be done by seeing its registration papers. When you have verified that the Paint horse you are seeing is the same as the Paint horse pictured on the papers, then you have a registered American Paint Horse. Both sire and dam must be either American Paint Horses, Quarters Horses or registered Thoroughbreds. No exceptions. A Pinto horse can be of any breed or not even registered at all, and if it carries the Paint horse pattern, it can be registered as a Pinto.

Considerations

If you are considering owning a Paint horse, you should be clear about your goals prior to purchase. If you are looking simply to have a horse of color to ride and enjoy, breeding is not necessarily as important as coat color and conformation. If you are looking to breed Paints, then pedigree becomes hugely important. Make sure you know what your goals are before you purchase your Paint horse.

References

• American Paint Horse Association
• Pinto Horse Association