The American Paint Horse is mainly developed in the United States. His unique coat markings make him stand out from the rest of the horse breeds. An adult American Paint Horse weighs approximately 430 to 544 kg and stands between 142 cm to 162 cm.
With an amiable and sweet nature, the America Paint Horse is highly trainable and easy to handle. Not only is he suitable for various kinds of work but he is also highly skilled in equine activities and competitions.
The American Paint ‘s average lifespan is 30 years if kept well-maintained. However, he is susceptible to some health issues. Thus, it is important for the horse to have regular check-ups to prevent diseases.
History
What do the Brits call an American Paint Horse?
The American Paint Horse was originally named Pinto. In the 1950s, he earned a few nicknames from horse enthusiasts including Paint, Piebald, and Skewbald. The breed became known as the American Paint Horse after an association was established to promote and preserve the breed.
American Paint Horse Origin
In 500 AD, spotted Oriental steeds were brought to Spain by barbaric tribes. This happened when the Roman Empire was under siege. The steeds were then introduced to the United States specifically in North America by Spanish conquistadors. It is believed that the horses they brought included the Andalusian, Barb, and Arabian breeds.
Later on, these horses freely roamed across the Western plains and deserts until they were domesticated and bred by Native Americans. This was the start of the breed’s existence. When the British colonists arrived, thoroughbreds contributed to the development of the breed.
The American Paint Horse and the American Quarter Horse closely resemble each other. However, in 1940, the American Quarter Horse Association was established and excluded horses that possess excessive white markings. Thus, all paint horses were excluded from the registry.
Fortunately, the American Paint Horse Association was created in 1965 and kept the records of the breed. Interested in getting an American Paint Horse? Find the right match for you here.
Appearance
American Paint Horse Characteristics
The American Paint Horse has a stocky type conformation with a muscular body suitable for work. He measures 142 cm to 162 cm and weighs about 430 to 544 kg. The breed sports three unique types of coat patterns namely tobiano, overo, and tovero.
The American Paint Horse is famous amongst horse enthusiasts for his distinctive colourful coat patterns with varying white markings. Some horses are solid-coloured whilst others have nearly solid colours. No two horses share the same coat patterns.
The most common colour combinations of the breed include bay, black, chestnut, and palomino. The American Paint Horse also has unique leg and facial markings which are ankle, bald face, blaze, coronet, flaxen, half-pastern, half- stocking, star, strip, and stocking.
Grooming
How to take care of an American Paint Horse?
Keep the American Paint Horse’s coat clean, gleaming, and mat-free by brushing him at least once or twice a week. When washing him, use only a small amount of mild horse shampoo. Avoid using shampoos containing harsh chemicals as it can damage the coat and lose its lustre. During the winter season, use a dry shampoo.
Be sure to check his mane and tail for mites and ticks. The presence of these parasites can cause him to excessively rub his hair, which can lead to hair loss. Do not forget to remove dirt and crud stuck on his hooves using a hoof pick after rides.
Uses
What are the uses of the American Paint Horse?
A brilliant horse breed with a friendly disposition, the American Paint Horse is highly versatile. He makes a great mount for both casual and professional riders. His agility, stamina, and speed make him very useful in various tasks such as farm work, ranch work, and transportation.
The breed also excels in several equine sports including working cattle, barrel racing, combined driving, trail riding, and jumping.
Nutrition
What do American Paint Horses eat?
The American Paint Horse needs a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals in his diet. Provide him with premium quality oats, fresh grass, and hay. Add grains to his daily meals as a supplement.
Be warned that the American Paint Horse is prone to weight gain and obesity. Thus, his meals should be measured and monitored properly. Provide him with fresh water each day to keep him hydrated and lessen the risk of heat exhaustion especially on extremely hot days.
Health
How long do American Paint Horses live?
The American Paint Horse can live for a long time if properly cared for. He has an average lifespan of 31 years. Consistently providing him with his daily needs is one of the best ways to maintain optimum health.
Regular vet check-ups are important to keep him healthy and minimize the risk of acquiring illnesses. Below are the most common health problems in American Paint Horses that you should be aware of:
- Lethal white syndrome (LWS)
- Hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HYPP)
- Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA)
- Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM)
- Malignant hyperthermia (MH)
- Glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED)
Cost of Ownership
How much does an American Paint Horse cost?
The cost of an American Paint Horse is anywhere from £2,000 to £8,000. Depending on the livery you choose, the cost ranges from £1,000 to over £7,000. Approximately £250 to £530 is the estimated yearly expense for buying feed whilst £120 to £1,560 for hay, shavings, and straw.
Vet check-ups and dentist check-ups cost around £70 per visit. Deworming fee is £40-£105 whilst trimming and shoeing can set you back £225-£765 per year. If you plan to get your horse insured, prepare £20 to £40 each month. Check our list of American Paint Horses for sale and rehoming here.
American Paint Horse Fun Facts
- The American Paint Horse is hugely popular as there are over one million Paint Horses registered in the American Paint Horse Association (APHP). At least 15,000 of them are added to the records every year.
- The Comanche tribe is one of the Native American tribes deeply appreciates the American Paint Horse breed. Aside from owning large herds of the American Paint Horses, the Comanche also had images of the beloved horse on their painted buffalo robes.
