Color Change in a Palomino Foal

The palomino was considered to be the ideal parade horse. In the 1980s, its golden color helped make the palomino popular in the horse industry. Many breeders began inbreeding the horses just to get that golden color. The horse of golden color suffered with the inbreeding, however. Keep in mind that a palomino changes color with the seasons and with age.

Shades of the Palomino

Palominos can be a variety of shades from almost white to its most sought-out deep, rich, golden tone. There is also a palomino color known as a chocolate palomino, which is an almost black coat color with flaxen to white mane and tail.

At Birth

A palomino foal can be born white, cream or light sorrel color. As time goes by, the foal will shed the newborn hair and become darker or lighter. By the time the foal is a two-year, you should have a good idea of what color he will be in his adult years. The seasons also cause a palomino to change colors. In the winter time, he will be about two shades lighter than he normally is when he sheds in the spring time.

How to Get a Palomino

You can almost predict what color your foal will come out by using simple chemistry. You have to understand what genes the mare and stallion carry to predict a foal's color. Careful breeding management is essential as not to inbreed. See "Resources" below for a color calculator to help with deciding what color combination will produce that golden foal.

Rule of Thumb

A good rule of thumb when determining what color your foal will be is to look at his legs. Even in the winter, a horse keeps his natural color on his legs. This is not a scientific proven fact, however.

Famous Palominos

Some of the most famous palominos were Trigger, owned by Roy Rogers, Bamboo Harvester, known as Mr. Ed, 1960's TV favorite, and Sam from the movie "Blazing Saddles."

References

• History of the Palomino

Resources

• Color Calculator