They Do it All and Look Good in the Process

By Claire Pelton



“You paint ‘em like a cow, they act like one,” is a phrase heard in the horse industry falsely describing one of the most capable types of horse out there.  The American Paint Horse, primarily known for its flashy color, can do it all.   From rough and ready ranch work to racing, this horse shows that talent is colorblind.





The Paint Horse descended from the Spanish horses brought over to America by explorer Hernando Cortes.  American Indians, mainly the Comanche, adopted the Paint as a standard issue warhorse.  It was only until the early sixties, that the more common stock type Paint horses had an official breed registry:  The American Paint Stock Horse Association.  In 1965 the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) came to be after a merger with another start-up club trying to preserve the qualities of the spotted horse.  Nowadays, the APHA is the second largest breed registry based on its count of horses registered annually.





Colors aside, the Paint excels in many disciplines.  Perhaps the most desirable would be the breed show quality Paint.  Shown much like the style of a Quarter Horse at American Quarter Horse Association shows, the Paint does well as a Western, English, Jumping and Trail horse.  The American Paint Horse Association puts on many different shows around the United States from local “A” rated shows, to its two National “World” shows.  





If a horse that can slide, gallop and spin is more your speed, the Paint can compete at Open Reining competitions as well.  With the more athletic Quarter Horse blood, Paint horses earn high scores with a flash of color in the show pen.  In fact, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has an alliance with the American Paint Horse Association, providing cash incentives to exhibitors competing on their Paint horses.   At the NRHA Futurity and Derby, one of the many “Paint preferred” incentives include $2,500 that gets paid to the highest advancing Paint Horse in both Open and Non-Pro divisions in both the Futurity and Derby. How's that for incentive?





While many horse lovers equate Dressage with large, bold moving Warmbloods, Paint enthusiasts know that they are not out of the game when it comes to competing on their flashy mounts.  Much like the NRHA association, Paint horses must compete at the Open level for Dressage.  This means they are competing against a large range of breeds from Friesians to Arabians.  Add in a touch of the lanky limber Thoroughbred blood and a Paint will excel in the Dressage court.





If you thought it was confusing keeping track of your favorite horse and jockey combo’s colors before, try adding in a multi-colored group of horses galloping down the track!  Paint horses even have their own recognized racing series.  Paint racing gained official recognition in 1966, but it is said that the breed excelled over its Quarter Horse competitors in the 1940’s.  Famous competitors in the beginnings of the Paint racing circuit were Painted Joe, Little Nip and Little Beaver.





If it’s a laid back athletic around the ranch type of horse you want, don't put aside your Paint horse dreams yet.  While they are a fine example of the highest quality show horses, they are still Stock horses by blood. The APHA also rewards Paint owners that compete in non-breed show types of competition such as roping events, trail rides, 4-H shows and horse trials.  Through the Paint Alternative Competition program, owners can record points from other events outside of the breed show circuit.





Like a car buyer looking for lots of chrome, the horse enthusiast that demands the extra flair in their mount can rest assured their horse dreams come true with the American Paint Horse.