The History of the Paint Horse
Imagine yourself back in the Old West, when wild horses ran free. Imagine the time
when Native American horsemen followed the vast herds of buffalo across the Great
Plains. When cowboys travelled hundreds of miles on cattle drives. A time when the
horse was vital to survival in the great adventure that was the American West. Among
the most treasured of these horses was one decorated by nature with loud splashes of
color - the American Paint Horse.
Descending from the horses introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, these Paints were
once wild horses that roamed the Western deserts and plains. The history of the
American Paint Horse has been woven into a Western blanket of songs, stories and
artwork.
It is significant that American Paint Horses share a common ancestry with the American
Quarter Horse and the American Thoroughbred. The American Paint Horse Association
sprang from the efforts of like-minded horsemen and women who loved the ability and
speed of the Western "stock" type horse, but who also appreciated the extra eye
appeal of the American Paint.
However, when the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) emerged in 1940 to
preserve stock horse pedigrees, it adopted standards that excluded horses with
painted coat patterns. Regardless of the AQHA registry's color requirements, many
American Paints, both then and today, are the result of matings between two
AQHA-registered parents.
Not satisfied to be only a color breed based entirely on coat patterns, the founders of
APHA also set strict standards of conformation, athletic ability and performance, as
well as demanding intelligence, a calm temperament and a willing disposition. As proof of
their commitment to these ideals, the founders instituted a stringent stallion inspection
program that remained in effect until the breed was well established.
Because of the out-cross restriction to only QH and TB, these horses have become
known as athletic horses with good temperaments and are popular in many fields in
addition to the western arena. They "stand out from the crowd" in Dressage,
Showjumping, Eventing, Hunting and Pony Club. Many are bought just for the enjoyment
of hacking and being seen on a colourful individual.
The Paint horse is a horse with a height restriction of over 14 hands and is of Quarter
Horse, Thoroughbred or Paint bloodlines only. That is, a Paint Horse is the result of a
mating between a Paint x Paint, Paint x Registered Quarter Horse, Paint x Registered
Thoroughbred. Paints come in all colours and patterns and can have blue eyes (not to be
confused with wall eyes). Blue eyes are a colour trait and can appear on a horse whose
parents, and grandparents do not have blue eyes.
Back
Geocities - free homepages!