Palomino

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This article is about the term "Palomino" as it applies to horses. For other uses, please see Palomino (disambiguation).

A typical golden palomino (front). The liver chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail (back), may be accepted as "palomino" by some color registries.

A palomino at the lighter end of the acceptable range of color, coat is still a golden shade, skin is dark, horse is not quite a cremello.

Palomino is a coat color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white or flaxen mane and tail. Genetically, the palomino color is created by a dilution gene working on a red (chestnut) base coat. However, most color breed registries that record Palomino horses were founded before equine coat color genetics were understood as well as they are today, and hence the standard definition of a Palomino is based on the coat color visible to the eye, not the underlying presence of the dilution gene.

While the breed standard states the ideal color is that of a "newly minted gold coin" (sometimes mistakenly claimed to be a penny), some Palomino registries allow a coat color that may range from cremello, an almost-white color, to a deep, dark, chocolate color ("chocolate palomino"). Skin and eyes are usually dark. White markings are permitted on the legs, but must not extend beyond the knees or hocks. White markings are also permitted on the face, but must not extend past the eyes. Those with a chocolate colored coat may be confused with horses expressing the silver dapple gene.

The Palomino is considered a color breed. Unlike the Appaloosa, which is a distinct breed that also happens to have a unique color, any breed or type of horse usually may be registered as palomino if they are properly golden-colored (though, for some registries, horses may also meet a conformation or type standard). The palomino is not a true breed, however, because palomino color does not breed "true;" A palomino crossed with a palomino may result in a palomino (about 50% of the time), but could also produce a chestnut (25%) or a cremello (25%). Thus, palomino is simply a color and not a set of characteristics that make up a "breed."

Trigger (1932-1965) was a famous movie horse during the "Golden Age" of Hollywood westerns, featured in movies, TV, on toys, and, as shown, comic books.

Because registration is based solely on coat color, horses from many breeds or combination of breeds may qualify. Some breeds that have palomino representatives are the American Saddlebred, Tennessee Walking Horse, Morgan and Quarter Horse. The color is fairly rare in the Thoroughbred, but does in fact occur and is recognized by The Jockey Club. ^[1] Some breeds, such as the Haflinger and Arabian, may appear to be palomino, but are genetically chestnuts with flaxen manes and tails, as neither breed carries the creme dilution that creates this color. However, in spite of their lack of correct DNA, some Palomino color registries have registered such horses if their coat color falls within the acceptable range of shades.

Due to their unusual color, Palominos stand out in a show ring, and are much sought after as parade horses. One of the most famous Palomino horses was Trigger, known as "the smartest horse in movies," the faithful mount of the Hollywood Cowboy star Roy Rogers during the 1940s and 1950s. Another famous Palomino was Mr. Ed (real name Bamboo Harvester) who starred on his own TV show in the 1960s. Finally it should be noted that Link's Horse Epona, from the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, can be considered a Palomino.

[edit] References

^ "Coat Colors of Thoroughbreds"

Bowling, Ann T. "Coat Color Genetics: Positive Horse Identification" from Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. Web Site accessed February 9, 2007