History and Origin of the Breed
Palomino horses possess a golden coat color, dark skin
and eyes, and a white main and tail. The Palomino did not originate in the United
States,yet the United States is were the registry associations for the palomino orginated.
The exact origin of the golden color is unknown, it is believed to be a descendant of
Arabian color patterns. The biblical book, Zechariah, written in 519 B.C., mentions horses
possessing bay, sorrel, black, grey, and white coat colors. Because of the variety of
color crosses that produce the Palomino color, it is assumed the color is as old as the
animal. Palomino horses have filtered their way through history, and are mentioned and
seen in a variety of literary and artistic works, including Botticellis 1481
painting "The Adoration of the Magi", which hangs in the National Gallery in Washington
D.C. Today Palomino horses may be seen in every aspect of the horse industry from working
on ranches, to being displayed in the show ring, as well as running on the racetrack. A
favorite to a variety of clubs and organizations, the Palomino has been seen as a parade
horse, in rodeos, and as a trail and endurance horses. Though many types of horses may
bear the gold coloring, the Palomino Horse Breeders of America represent only Quarter
Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, Morgans, Arabians, and American Saddlebreds in the PHBA
registry.
Breed
Characteristics
Palomino is a horse color not a breed. The
characteristic palomino color is that of a newly minted fourteen-karat gold coin with
variations from light to dark. The skin is usually gray, black, brown or motley without
underlying pink skin or spots, except on the face or legs. The eyes are usually black,
hazel, or brown. The mane and tail must be white with not more than fifteen percent dark,
sorrel, or chestnut hairs. Conformation depends on the breed represented but most stand
between 14 and 17 hands.
Technically, the palomino is not so much a color as it
is a lack of color due to the dilution gene. The best cross for obtaining a palomino has
been the crossing of a palomino to a chestnut. Crossing a palomino to a palomino most
often produces a cremello (often called wrongly, an albino).
Famous Palomino Horses
Plaudit
Bred by Tom Mills of Meeker, CO,
this foundation Palomino stallion was sired by the Thoroughbred stallion, King Plaudit,
and was out of the mare, Colorado Queen. The ownership of Plaudit changed hands many times
throughout his life, but for ten years he was used for breeding on Waite Philipss
Philmont Ranch at Cimarron, NM, where he sired the great racing, show, and producing
horse, Question Mark. Plaudit sired superior running horses like Hank Wiescamps
World Champion running horse, Scooter W, as well as many good ranch horses possessing
inherited speed, in addition to many notable show and performance horses like Skippers
Lad, Phillips 66, and Boyar De Ro. Plaudit died in 1957 at the age of 20, and was buried
behind the home of his final owners, Leon and Pauline Harms, in Albuquerque, NM. His
owners all agreed Plaudit was an exceptional horse who sired exceptional offspring.
Buzzie Bars
Buzzie Bars continues his legacy in PHBA history as the all-time leading sire of point
earners, with 96 of his foals earning 7,383 show points. Bred and owned by G.F
"Jack" Anderson of Broken Arrow, OK, the Palomino Stallion was sired by Sugar
Bars, an own son of Three Bars, and out of Becky Lee, a granddaughter of Question Mark by
Plaudit, and Little Joe Jr. by Joe Bailey P-4. During his show career, Buzzie Bars earned
55 halter points, 21 performance points, was Grand Champion 50 times, and Reserve Grand
Champion five times. He sired numerous PHBA World Champions and Palomino producers
including Paul F Bars, Fast Break, Jump Bid, Maple Honey Bars, and The Hot Canary. Buzzie
Bars died in 1991 at the age of 31. He is buried in his grove on Andersons Bent
Arrow Ranch in Broken Arrow.

Breed Organization
For More Information Contact:
Decherd Thomas
Palomino Horse Breeders of America
15253 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74116-2637
Telephone (918) 438-1234
Fax: (918) 438-1232
Email: www.YellaHrses@aol.com
Web Site: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/phba/

Information supplied by Palomino Horse
Breeders of America
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