Imagine being back in the Old West, when wild horses roamed freely. Imagine the time when Native American horsemen followed huge herds of buffalo across the Great Plains. When cowboys drove cattle hundreds of miles across the prairies. A time when the horse was essential to survival in the American West.
Among the most prized of these horses was one adorned by nature with striking color patterns - the American Paint Horse. Descended from horses introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, these Paint Horses were once wild horses that roamed the western deserts and plains. The story of the American Paint Horse has been immortalized in songs, stories and works of art of the West. This colorful part of Western heritage still exists. On this page we would like to invite you to discover the colorful horse of the West: THE AMERICAN PAINT HORSE.
The American Paint Horse is not just a dappled horse or western horse. In terms of origin, lineage and characteristics, it is a dappled Quarter Horse, although it is looked after by its own association, the American Paint Horse Association, or APHA for short. There are now over a million registered Paint Horses worldwide, making the Paint Horse the second largest horse breed in the world after the Quarter Horse. To be registered as a Paint Horse, both parents must be registered Paint Horses. A mating of a Paint Horse and a Quarter Horse is also possible, and mating with an English Thoroughbred is also recognized. Otherwise, it is a purebred with a closed stud book.
To maintain and improve a state-approved breeding of the American Paint Horse, the breeders' association pursues the following breeding goal:
To breed a versatile horse that is equally suitable for leisure and competitive sport. In addition to the correct body shape and the correct movements typical of the breed, the horse should have a strong constitution and stamina. Particular emphasis is placed on an impeccable character and a good-natured temperament.
