Palomino Horse: Just as Good as Gold

Palomino is recognized as a color breed. This is because “palomino” is not a particular breed but a specific color of horse coat.  This color carries a mane and tail that are white and a coat that is of a lovely flaxen gold or chocolate color.  Cremello, a color that is almost white, may also be a possible to obtain.  Some visible markings may be found on the leg of the horse but there is nothing that extends to the rest of the body.  Although almost similar to buckskin which is also light gold, this horse has a darker mane and tail.  These horses are very priced as parade and show ring horses.  Palomino foals may have light-colored eyes but these will darken to brown as they grow older.

 

Breeding

There are several details that one has to know about breeding a palomino.  Two palominos will most definitely result to a palomino that can be cremello or chestnut.  Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse and American Saddlebred may also produce palominos.  Although rare, there are also some Thoroughbreds and Arabians that carry this color and these may be registered if they qualify.

 

There is a gestation period for Palominos which is more or less eleven months.  Most breeders prefer that Palominos will be produced on a January to have an edge against the competition of the horse’s age group.

 

More Information

The following sources would be very helpful when in search of more information about Palominos: Palominos by Victor Gentle, Palomino Horses by Tomas Micek and The Whole Horse Catalog by Steven Price.  The Palomino Horse Breeders of America would also not lack in information about these horses.