Although you may associate American Paint Horses with cowboy movies, they are used in many other ways, just like most breeds of light horse in America. American Paint Horses not only have the flashy patchwork of colors that have made them infamous, but in order to be registered with the American Paint Horse Association, they also need to have good conformation and at least one parent that is already registered with them, with the Jockey Club or the American Quarter Horse Association.
Showing
Although long a fixture at Western shows and rodeos, American Paint Horses can do just about anything in the show ring, from conformation to open show jumping. They can pull a cart, cut a steer or negotiate tricky obstacle courses in modern trail riding classes. Since they need one parent that is a member of a breed registration, that means Paints will have the strength and conformation in order to participate competitively in most horse sports. They also are a standout in costume classes, since their flashy patterns already make a great backdrop for a Native American outfit.
Racing
One of the newest money-making ventures with Paints is to cross them with racing Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds and race them professionally. Racing Paints began in 1966 in America. This gives some excitement to the spectators who won’t have much trouble picking their horse from the spectacular line up. Professional races in America are held on Thoroughbred or Quarter horse tracks.
The most famous sire of racing Paints is named Texas Hero, a paint with plenty of racing Quarter horses in his pedigree His progeny have earned over three million dollars.
In the last thirty years, there has been a variety of new breeds based on adding paint coloration to other mostly solid colored breeds, including the Spotted Saddle Horse (which can be crosses of Paints with Tennesse Walking Horses, Missouri Fox Trotters or American Saddlebreds); the Pintabian (half Arabian and half Paint) and horses that include both Appaloosa and pinto markings.
Paints also are used to reinforce warmblood breeds andQuarter horses. Their coat patterns have been found in feral horses such as America’s Mustangs. Many Paints have been turned loose on the range to breed with Mustangs over the decades, with more being turned loose on public lands if the owners experience an ecomonic hardship.
Pleasure Riding
American Paint Horses also are great companions and all around working horses. Of course, all Paints are different and have their particular quirks. But getting to know the little idiosyncrasies of your Paint is part of the pleasure of owning a horse. Paints have been used in therapeutic riding programs, in parade groups and for riding around the back forty.
Sadly, not all Paint horses are appreciated. Due to the world economic crisis of 2008, many Paints have been abandoned by their owners. Some of these Paints have no faults other than their owners could no longer afford to care for them. If you are looking for a Paint of your own, please consider contacting horse rescues and local large animal shelters instead of buying a horse.
Refernces:
“International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds.” Bonnie Hendricks. University of Oklahoma Press; 1995.
