American Paint Horse
The American Paint Horse is a breed of horse that classically has a colorful "painted" pattern, and a distinctive, rugged body type. In past centuries, Native American tribes of the Western Plains selected them from wild herds, by the patterns of their coats and strength of their build.
Fast Facts
- Height: 14 - 16 hands
- Patterns include Tobiano (white with dark patches), Overo (dark with light patches) and Tovero (elements of both)
- Rank second behind Quarter Horse in numbers registered
- Gaining popularity in Europe, Asia and Africa
Spanish Roots
Historical records show that the Conquistador Hernan Cortes landed in Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1519, with at least one horse matching the description of a Paint.1 The American Paint Horse is believed to be the descendant of this Spanish warhorse, whose offspring interbred and spread, eventually becoming part of the wild herds of the Great Plains.
Native Heritage
The American Paint Horse is an icon of the American West. It has been portrayed in Hollywood films being ridden by American Indians, and this not simply due to its exotic look. The Paint Horse owes its survival to the tribes of the Western Plains—particularly the Comanche1—who favored their coloring and build, while European-American riders, until the 20th century, found the trademark pattern to be undesirable.2
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