...and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
Odd-colored or part-colored horses are called Paints and Pintos. Terms such as skewbald, which are any color and white, or piebalds, which are black and white. This coat coloring is a very old, ancient color, similar to a spotted coat, and cave drawings depict this in artwork on interior walls.
It is speculated that the color originated in Russia or Europe, but there are now more colored horses in the U.S. and it is now termed the country of origin. The breed has a fine, neat head and a nice character, making them great riding horses.
They were highly prized for their color in Native American culture, due to their unusual, beautiful markings. The colored horse has little in common as far as physical aspects, other than color, however, in recent years there have been efforts to create a more “typey” animal.
There is an important distinction made between Paints and Pintos. There are two organizations in America, the American Paint Horse Association and the Pinto Horse Association of America. Any part-colored horse can be registered with the Pinto Horse Association, and they are divided into stock types such as saddle, hunter, pleasure, etc.
But, in the Paint Association, only colored horses with Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, or Paint
bloodlines may be registered, so that they are an association principally concerned with bloodlines. Any Paint horse can be on the Pinto register, but not every Pinto can be on the Paint register. (1)
Inside the colored horse topic, there are two distinct color patterns which occur and they are called overo and tobiano. The overo often has a white face with blue eyes and has a colored base with white patches, but rarely across the back. The tobiano has a white base with large colored patches, the legs are usually white and there are generally white markings across the back.
Many of the early Spanish horses showed the part-colored coats, and it is typically considered today that part-colored horses may have been developed from the Spanish Horse. Many times there are characteristics of the Spanish Horse in part-colored horses.
Pintos stand about 14.2hh to 15.2hh, are well-built and stocky. Some Pinto ponies can stand 14hh. They are powerful with a good quality head and solid hind quarters. They have good conformation and make a good riding horse.
Another good riding horse is the Rocky Mountain. (3) They come in horse or pony size, and can go up to 16HH. It was developed in the late 1980's by a Sam Tuttle of Stout Springs, KY., who ran riding tours in the Natural Bridge State Park.
He owned a stallion named “Old Tobe,” and noticed that all the riders who used him seemed to like him the best, as he gave the most comfortable ride.
Tuttle then bred a line of ponies and horses from Old Tobe, and they inherited his gait, along with his calm amiable and quiet disposition. They also turned out to be sturdy and robust. (4)
This progeny have a lot of stamina and can go long distances over rough terrain.
It is a popular breed among trail riders and can also go light harness for carriages and buggies.
They come in many colors, but the most prized is the deep chocolate with the flaxen mane and tail.
Rocky Mountain horses are all solid, with no white and are similar to Old Style Morgans in appearance. Their blood is considered warm and they do well in temperate mountain climates.
Sounds like a nice group of equine to me; why don’t you pick one out you like to the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.”
1,2 “The Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies,” by Tamsin Pickeral
3,4 “A Pocket Guide to Horses and Ponies,” by Corinne Clark