Paint Horse Q's

What is the difference between a Paint and a Pinto?

  • The American Paint Horse Association registers only horses with a pedigree from the APHA, American Quarter Horse Association or Jockey Club (U.S. & UK Thoroughbred registry) and that meet APHA minimum colour requirements.
  • The Pinto Horse Association (PtHA) registers horses from a broad range of breeds that meet minimum colour requirements established by the PtHA.

What sets Paint Horses apart from other breeds?

  • Quality, Athleticism, Agreeable disposition, Unique colour
  • Paint Horses have a distinct coat pattern and a stock-type conformation.
  • This means that Paint Horses are athletic, muscular, sensible and well suited for working livestock.

What colours can Paints come in?

  • Combination of white and any colour of the equine spectrum: See the Coat Colours section for examples
  • Black, Buckskin, Brown, Palomino, Bay, Roan, Chestnut,Grey, Sorrel, Cremello, Dun, Perlino, Grullo
  • Just like snowflakes, no two Paint Horses are exactly alike.

What are the colour requirements?

  • At least one natural Paint marking
    • White hair with underlying pink or unpigmented skin (if coat is predominantly dark).
    • Dark hair with underlying pigmented skin (if coat is predominantly white).

    The natural Paint marking must be at least two inches in diameter.

    It must be located:

    • on the horse’s body
    • on the horse’s legs
    • in a qualifying area.

    Two-inch measuring ring is provided by APHA to help members with registration procedures.

    A natural marking must be in a non shaded area to qualify.

What would be an “unnatural”white haired marking?

  • One that the horse was not born with. One that was created unnaturally.

What are the differences between English and Paints (Stock Types)?

Unlike English, the Paints should not be flamboyant, if anything they will be understated

  • Their way of going should be calm and almost a jog
  • Their outline, streamline, flat kneed & soft backed
  • Their top line is low
  • A crest or extra high head carriage would be very undesirable
  • All four legs are set square and well underneath the horse, not out behind as in English
  • Many performance / cow bred Paints have what almost appears to be a hook in the shape of the hind legs – this is NOT a conformation fault but a breed design to enable the horse to work

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