What Kind of Horse is a Paint?

Paint horses share a common ancestry with the American thoroughbred and the American quarter horse. They are descendants from the horses of Spanish conquistadors; these bold horses once roamed freely among the western plains and deserts. Paint horses are characterized by their unique markings and colors. Their beautiful coats, athletic abilities and desirable temperaments make them a highly sought after breed among many horse enthusiasts.

  1. History

    • Paint horses were brought to the Americas in 1519 by Spanish explorers. By 1800, many of the horses joined free-running herds and became favorites among the Comanche Indians. Until the 1900s, they were referred to as paints, pintos, skewbalds and piebalds. They were and remain a symbol of the American cowboy. In the late 1950s, the Pinto Horse Association was organized to preserve the breed. In 1962, The American Paint Stock Horse Association was founded to preserve the breed's distinctive color and conformation. By 1965, it became known as the American Paint Horse Association.

    Colors and Patterns

    • Paint horses possess unique coat colors and patterns. They are seen in a multitude of combinations, such as white with champagne, cremello, chestnut, perlino, grullo, sorrel, red dun, palomino, smoky cream, buckskin, dun, roan, brown, bay, gray and black. The patterns are expressed in an array of shapes and sizes; the overo, tobiano and tovero patterns are found on their coats. Horses with overo patterns do not have white markings on the tail or between the withers. At least three of their legs will be a solid tan, brown, gray or black. Tobiano horses have white markings that are round or oval, and all four legs are white; their tails are either white or dark. Paint horses with the tovero pattern have at least one blue eye.

    Conformation

    • This breed has a well-defined stock conformation, meaning its muscular physique and physical characteristics make it well-suited to working with livestock. Paint horses are stocky, well-proportioned and solid-boned with muscular hind legs, making them powerfully built. Their distinctive conformation makes them extraordinarily strong, fast and athletic.

    Disposition

    • Paint horses are recognized for being one of the hardest working breeds due to their strength, resilience and exceptional versatility. Although they can be somewhat resistant, their agility and willingness to work illustrates why they held such strong appeal among Native Americans and pioneer farmers. Paints are easy to train for many riding disciplines; they're extremely intelligent, friendly and calm.