Beautiful horses with a unique pattern that combines white and black, chestnut or bay? That’ll be a Paint horse. Their gracefulness and distinctive markings set them apart from other breeds and are favourites with a lot of people. But there are so much more than their looks.
In this article, we will share the origin and features of this breed and the traits that make them endearing and unique. But first, here’s a quick overview of what Paint horse is like.
An overview of Paint Horse Breeds
Paint horses are famous due to their ostentatious coat patterns and docile temperament. Thankfully, these beautiful creatures are still thriving today. According to the American Paint Horse Association, there are about 100,000 members from 40 countries worldwide. They are suitable for owners and riders from all levels, and they can compete in any equestrian sport, work on farms and give a joyful ride. Here’s a look at their physique and features.
Average Weight: 950 to 1,200 pounds
Average Height: Between 14 hands high (56 inches) and 16 hands high (64 inches)
Physique: Strong and a balanced body with powerful hindquarters and beautiful coat patterns
Suitable for: Horse lovers and riders of any age and levels, including aspirant racers and those who seek a friendly companion.
Life expectancy: 30-31 years
History and Origin of Paint Horses
Paint horses trace back its origin to the Spotted Oriental horses brought from Eurasia to Spain at around 500 A.D. They were bred with the native horses in Spain. Records in 700 A.D. reveal that there are spotted horses with overo and tobiano patterns at the time that are similar to the American Paint Horses today.
Experts believe that the descendants of American Paint horses were brought to North America by Spanish explorers, particularly Hernando Cortes, in the 1500s. He brought a total of 16 war-horses to the continent, and one of them was a sorrel and white pinto. It was the start of more paint breeding, and it made its way across western countries. Today, the American Paint Horse Association keeps the breed’s registry, which includes 800,00 paints.
Color patterns in Paint Horses
The distinctive patterns of Paint Horses can be a combination of white and other colors of the equine spectrum, including black, bay, chestnut, dun, palomino, and more. They come in various shapes and colors. These are the three main coat patterns of Paint Horses:
Tobiano
In this pattern, the base color is located at the flanks while the white patches are on the withers and tail, and the head has a solid color with few markings like stars, blazes, and strips. Horses with this pattern have distinct spots with clear borders, and their mane hair and tails can have two colors.
Overo
Horses with Overo patterns have irregular patches around their body, but their backs are usually in solid color. Their face is generally white, and their legs are colored but can sometimes have white stockings.
Tovero
Tovero is a combination of Tobiano and Overo. Therefore, it exhibits the characteristics of the two. They might have basic tobiano coloring with blue eyes or white coat on the body with base colors on the muzzle, ears, chest, and flank areas.
Breeding and Common Uses
Paint Horses were bred to create and preserve their unique coat patterns and good qualities such as friendly and calm demeanor, and athleticism. They were mainly used for transportation and work before due to their incredible strength, speed, agility, and stamina.
Aside from competing in multiple equine sports and activities, Paint horses also love to ride on trails and please their owners and riders. They are multi-talented equines who can do any tasks, including racing, jumping, dressage, and challenging work with ease.
Traits and Characteristics of Paint Horses
The most distinctive feature of Paint horses is their color, patterns, and markings. But they are more than just a beauty. They are also friendly, clam, innately intelligent, and easygoing; that’s why they are easy to train. They are the perfect blend of beauty and competitive spirit of athleticism.
Common Health and Behavioral Problems
Most Paint horses are easygoing and have no significant behavioral issues. However, they are prone to some genetic diseases.
One of the genetic diseases that affect Paint horses is Lethal White Syndrome. Some horses can become carriers without having any health issues, but foals with two copies of the defective gene may be born with a white coat, blue eyes, and undeveloped intestines – making them prone to colic. There’s no available treatment for the disorder, so foals only last for a few days and eventually dies.
Some paints may also suffer from hyperkalemic periodic paralysis – a hereditary disease that causes muscle twitching and weakness. Others are at risk of inheriting tissue disorder called Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA).
