- Palomino -

   Palomino is, strictly speaking, a color type and not a breed, although the American Palomino Horse Society and similar societies in England are trying to establish the Palomino by selective and careful breeding. Palomino is an ancient coat coloring, as is the spotted coat pattern, and was originally quite widespread among the Spanish Horse. America, in fact, is not really the country of origin, s palominos were first seen there after the Spanish conquistadors arrived with Spanish horses there.

America was, however, responsible for the first registry of the palomino, and this coat coloring is now being widely bred there, especially in the North and South. There are rigid rules that must apply to a horse or pony in order for it to be registered on the Palomino register. The coat color must be that of a newly minted gold coin, or three shades lighter or darker. Minimal white markings are allowed on the face, and there must not be any white marking above the knee or hock. The mane and tail should be silvery white, and must not contain more than fifteen percent dark hair. They must have dark or hazel eyes - blue eyes or odd-colored eyes disqualify a horse form the registry. To be registered, a horse must have one parent already in the register, and the other must be a Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, or Arabian.

The color characteristics are hard to reproduce but the most common combinations to produce palomino offspring are palomino to palomino, chestnut to palomino, or chestnut or palomino to albino. The most popular cross is the Palomino to chestnut, which usually produces a very rich shade of palomino coat coloring. Palominos make good riding horses and are used for all spheres of riding form pleasure, trail, showing, jumping, and so on.

In recent years they have enjoyed an increase in popularity and are now highly valued for their coloring. Often, Palominos will exhibit some Spanish characteristics, which is a throwback to their roots, but there is still a general lack of conformational conformity. In general, they tend to have a small head with a straight profile, a long and well-formed neck, reasonably sloping shoulders, a straight back, and muscular quarters. They usually have a prolific mane and tail, and stand between 14 and 16 hands high.

Return to Horse Breeds page