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American Paint Horse

Equus ferus caballus

American Paint Horse with a tobiano coat pattern
Photo: Unknown — CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

A stock horse with bold pinto markings — the muscle and mind of a Quarter Horse in a coat of white patches.

TypeLight / ridingBest asRiding & familyOriginAmericas

How to spot it

A muscular stock-type horse of about 14.2 to 15.2 hands (147 to 157 cm) carrying large patches of white over any base colour, in tobiano or overo patterns. Build and bloodlines overlap heavily with the Quarter Horse.

Temperament

Calm, willing and quick to learn — the same unflappable, people-friendly temperament that makes the stock breeds such good family and ranch horses.

What it's bred for

Western riding, ranch work, reining and showing, where the flashy coat is prized. It shares the Quarter Horse's sprinting power and cow sense.

Care & upkeep

Hardy and easy to keep. White areas have pink skin that can sunburn, so provide shade and sun protection where the coat is light.

Health & lifespan

Around 30 years. Breeding two overo-patterned horses risks lethal white foal syndrome, so responsible breeders DNA-test; the breed also shares the Quarter Horse muscle-disorder genes.

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