Of course, when choosing a trail horse, you first look for soundness, performance, and temperament. But finding your dream horse that also is your dream color can be a thrilling bonus. Spotting a forest trail on your Appaloosa. Boldly taking the lead on your Buckskin. Powering uphill on your golden Palomino.
Here, we'll give you the scoop on five colorful nongaited breeds: the American Paint Horse, the Appaloosa Horse, the Buckskin, the Palomino Horse, and the Pinto Horse. We'll tell you what makes each one special and worthy of a breed distinction.
Whether they're classified as pedigreed breeds based on bloodlines (American Paint and Appaloosa) or color breeds (Buckskin, Palomino, and Pinto), these beloved trail partners bring together communities of like-minded horse owners. Read on for each breed's history and description, as well as on-trail reports from owners, association trail programs, and a handy list of resources.
Read on, and you may soon be corralling a little color into your own horse life!
American Paint Horse
History highlights: The history of the American Paint Horse has the same early beginnings as the Pinto Horse (see page 44), which was derived from the Spanish word pintado, or painted. The American Paint Horse Association highlights the voyage of Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes, who sailed to the New World carrying a horse with "white stockings on his forefeet," and a "dark roan horse" with "white patches." Once in the hands of the Native Americans, the Comanche Indians of the Plains chose to acquire and breed the colored horses extensively, incorporating them into their large, favorable herds.
Throughout their development in the 1900s, these colorful horses were labeled as both pinto and paint, until the PtHA was formed in the 1950s. In 1962, the American Paint Stock Horse Association was formed to preserve the bloodlines of a more specific horse. The APSHA's goal was to focus on color, but also the stock-type conformation. The organization quickly gained popularity across the country.
In 1965, the APSHA was approached by another young group, the American Paint Quarter Horse Association. The two decided to merge, settling on the American Paint Horse Association as an appropriate name for the newly combined authority of the Paint Horse. Today, based on the number of horses registered per year, the APHA is the second largest breed registry in the United States after the American Quarter Horse Association. (For more information on the Paint Horse, see "The Paint Horse," Breed Showcase, March/April '05.)
Breed description: In order to maintain the Paint Horse's stock-horse body type, athleticism and good nature, the APHA requires very specific bloodlines of its registered horses. At least one parent must be a registered American Paint Horse, and both must be registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, the Jockey Club (the Thoroughbred registry), or the APHA. A horse's coat can be any color, but there must be at least one "natural Paint marking" of a minimum two inches. A natural Paint marking is a contrasting area of solid white hair with underlying pink skin. Markings like socks, stockings, stars, and blazes don't necessarily qualify as natural paint markings. For a more detailed description of rules and exceptions, see the APHA's website.
On the trail: 3G Farms owner Patti Griggs, who's been a Paint enthusiast since her 3-year-old son fell in love with Paints several years ago, appreciates the breed's sound, sane qualities. "It's nice, because they seem to go wherever you point them," she says. Griggs adds that no matter what weather conditions hit the trails of southwest Washington, her Paints "take it in stride."
Connie Green and her Paint, Hank, have taken 1,000 hours worth of trail rides in stride over the last six years. "He's absolutely the best horse on the trails," says the Indiana trail rider. "He'll go anywhere, no fear."
Green logs her hours with the APHA's Ride America program, which allows trail riders to connect with other Paint Horse owners and earn rewards at the same time. She and Hank have teamed up with many other Paint lovers and traveled the trails of numerous Indiana state parks. "We always have such a good time," says Green, "lots of laughs, relaxation, beautiful scenery, good horses."
