When it comes to standing out in a herd, colorful horses lead the pack.

Of course, when choosing a trail horse, you first look for soundness, performance, and temperament. But finding your dream horse that also is your dream color can be a thrilling bonus. Spotting a forest trail on your Appaloosa. Boldly taking the lead on your Buckskin. Powering uphill on your golden Palomino.

Here, we’ll give you the scoop on five colorful nongaited breeds: the American Paint Horse, the Appaloosa Horse, the Buckskin, the Palomino Horse, and the Pinto Horse. We’ll tell you what makes each one special and worthy of a breed distinction.

Whether they’re classified as pedigreed breeds based on bloodlines (American Paint and Appaloosa) or color breeds (Buckskin, Palomino, and Pinto), these beloved trail partners bring together communities of like-minded horse owners. Read on for each breed’s history and description, as well as on-trail reports from owners, association trail programs, and a handy list of resources.

Read on, and you may soon be corralling a little color into your own horse life!

American Paint Horse
History highlights: The history of the American Paint Horse has the same early beginnings as the Pinto Horse (see page 44), which was derived from the Spanish word pintado, or painted. The American Paint Horse Association highlights the voyage of Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes, who sailed to the New World carrying a horse with "white stockings on his forefeet," and a "dark roan horse" with "white patches." Once in the hands of the Native Americans, the Comanche Indians of the Plains chose to acquire and breed the colored horses extensively, incorporating them into their large, favorable herds.

Throughout their development in the 1900s, these colorful horses were labeled as both pinto and paint, until the PtHA was formed in the 1950s. In 1962, the American Paint Stock Horse Association was formed to preserve the bloodlines of a more specific horse. The APSHA’s goal was to focus on color, but also the stock-type conformation. The organization quickly gained popularity across the country.

In 1965, the APSHA was approached by another young group, the American Paint Quarter Horse Association. The two decided to merge, settling on the American Paint Horse Association as an appropriate name for the newly combined authority of the Paint Horse. Today, based on the number of horses registered per year, the APHA is the second largest breed registry in the United States after the American Quarter Horse Association. (For more information on the Paint Horse, see "The Paint Horse," Breed Showcase, March/April ’05.)

Breed description: In order to maintain the Paint Horse’s stock-horse body type, athleticism and good nature, the APHA requires very specific bloodlines of its registered horses. At least one parent must be a registered American Paint Horse, and both must be registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, the Jockey Club (the Thoroughbred registry), or the APHA. A horse’s coat can be any color, but there must be at least one "natural Paint marking" of a minimum two inches. A natural Paint marking is a contrasting area of solid white hair with underlying pink skin. Markings like socks, stockings, stars, and blazes don’t necessarily qualify as natural paint markings. For a more detailed description of rules and exceptions, see the APHA’s website.

On the trail: 3G Farms owner Patti Griggs, who’s been a Paint enthusiast since her 3-year-old son fell in love with Paints several years ago, appreciates the breed’s sound, sane qualities. "It’s nice, because they seem to go wherever you point them," she says. Griggs adds that no matter what weather conditions hit the trails of southwest Washington, her Paints "take it in stride."

Connie Green and her Paint, Hank, have taken 1,000 hours worth of trail rides in stride over the last six years. "He’s absolutely the best horse on the trails," says the Indiana trail rider. "He’ll go anywhere, no fear."

Green logs her hours with the APHA’s Ride America program, which allows trail riders to connect with other Paint Horse owners and earn rewards at the same time. She and Hank have teamed up with many other Paint lovers and traveled the trails of numerous Indiana state parks. "We always have such a good time," says Green, "lots of laughs, relaxation, beautiful scenery, good horses."

The Appaloosa's good nature and athletic ability makes it a great choice for the trail.

Appaloosa Horse
History highlights: According to the Appaloosa Museum, spotted horses have been found in primitive cave paintings that date back as far as 18,000 BC. However, recent research has found that the artwork doesn’t necessarily relate to the colorful breed we know today. But perhaps present-day Appaloosa owners can relate to the theory that the spots on these uniquely marked horses may’ve represented dreams and visions.

Later artwork reveals that actual spotted horses carried saints and nobles through the centuries, but the term "Appaloosa" originated in the 1700s. Well-bred spotted horses were found among Native American tribes near the Palouse River, in today’s Washington and Idaho region. The Nez Perce Indians selectively bred these animals by gelding the inferior stallions and trading less desirable stock.

When conflict between new settlers and the Nez Perce arose, the tribe was forced onto smaller land reservations. Eventually, a revolt led to the Nez Perce War of 1877, and only the strongest animals and natives survived the struggle. Some horses escaped, later to be caught by white men. As the breed became scattered throughout the West, the history of the Appaloosa horse was buried for decades.

In 1937, several articles were written and published about the lost history of the Appaloosa. Breeders and owners reacted, realizing the importance of preserving and improving the breed. The following year, the Appaloosa Horse Club was established with these goals in mind.

In 1947, the ApHC gained the help of George Hatley, who became known as "Mr. Appaloosa." By striving to preserve the Appaloosa heritage, he became perhaps the most memorable figure in the breed’s history. His honorable efforts helped the Appaloosa registry grow to 300,000 horses. (For more on George Hatley, see "Mr. Appaloosa," Trailblazers, November/December ’06; for more on the Appaloosa, see "The Appaloosa Horse," Breed Showcase, January/February ’06.)

Breed description: The colorful, spotted coat of an Appaloosa isn’t the only characteristic that makes it unique. Beneath the colorful coat is a spatter of mottled skin. This combination of pigmented dark spots and pink, nonpigmented skin can be found on various parts of the body, but it can be especially evident on a horse’s muzzle. Some Appaloosas also have vertical light and dark stripes on their hooves. A third feature is the white sclera around the eye of some Appaloosas — a white area visible around the outside of the iris when the horse is relaxed.

The coat of an Appaloosa can be any color, and spotting can occur in a number of ways. The patterns are: the blanket, blanket with spots, roan, roan blanket, roan blanket with spots, or a solid pattern with characteristics mentioned earlier. (For details on the Appaloosa’s color patterns, visit www.myhorse.com/trailrider.)

On the trail: Our exploration of people in the Appaloosa community led us to two special hall-of-famers who can’t seem to get enough Appaloosa trail-riding adventure. Both John Corpolongo, MD, and Robert Swick say it’s the family-like experiences they find on the ApHC trail rides that keep them coming back for more.

"The trail rides are like a fellowship," says Dr. Corpolongo, the ApHC trail ride physician and the only member to have ridden 100 rides.

The spots are what bring these trail riders together, but both men say that an Appaloosa’s disposition is second to none. "Their disposition makes them an ideal trail mount first and foremost," says Swick. After an emotional experience with his horse, Rebel, and a handicapped man, Swick says that he knew the breed filled the bill. "I realized that this was a horse that a man needed in his trail riding string. I’m more loyal to them than to any other breed," he says.

Dr. Corpolongo, a long-time friend of Hatley’s, also appreciates the faithfulness of the breed. "They’re just like dogs — what can I do to please ya," he says. In his trail rides that have stretched from Oregon to Pennsylvania, he says that his spotted horses have helped him to achieve his goals as a serious trail rider every step of the way.

"You gotta work hard at it and get old, and have a good horse," he says with a laugh.

Patty McKinley and Handy Little Bug, her Buckskin gelding, cool off during a trail ride at East Fork State Park, Ohio. Buckskins sturdy bone structure and hard hooves make them ideal trail horse.

Buckskin
History highlights: The Buckskin’s bloodlines trace back to Spanish and Norwegian beginnings. The Spanish Barb is connected to today’s Mustang of the West, while the Tarpan, an ancient breed that’s now near extinction, is the ancestor of the Norwegian Dun that was exported to the Americas.

As the Buckskin was researched, it became clear that the breed’s deeply rooted ancestry made it worthy of a registry to preserve its history. In 1965, the American Buckskin Registry Association, Inc., was founded, and today is predominant in the West. Five years later, the International Buckskin Horse Association was founded and today is the largest breed registry. The IBHA is more popular in the Midwest.

Breed description: The Buckskin is technically a color breed, which means it can be found in all types of horses. The true color of a Buckskin is similar to tanned deerhide, with a black mane, tail, and legs. However, there are several variations that meet the registries’ requirements.

Dun is a term that’s often confused with buckskin, but it’s slightly different. This coloration is somewhat duller than buckskin, but also has dark brown or black points (the lower legs, and sometimes the ear tips). The most telling difference is the dorsal stripe, a dark strip that runs down the horse’s spine. Duns may also have leg barring, also known as tiger striping, a darker shade of hair bands located above the knee or hock.

Grulla (pronounced grew-yah) is a unique color that can range from blue to slate gray. The red dun’s coat can vary from a copper color to a dark red. Lastly, the rare brindle dun is a streaky coloration of darker and lighter colors across the horse’s body. All three of these coat patterns have dorsal stripes, shoulder stripes, and leg barring.

On the trail: Buckskin owner Marywade Gilbert believes that people are attracted to the color, because it’s reminiscent of the days of the Wild West. "There’s a little romance of the American West within the buckskin," she says.

But it’s not just folklore — for generations, horsepeople have concluded that Buckskins are a quality breed. "There’s an old cowboy saying that the buckskins are tougher than other horses. They tend to have much better feet and bone," she explains.

Robin Murphy, a trainer who trail rides and shows Buckskins, feels that the toughness and calm personality are what make the breed desirable. "They make good trail horses because of their laid-back disposition as a whole," she says, also noting that they’re fun and easy to train. "They’re pretty sturdy physically, they have good feet, and they can withstand the demands of a heavier trail and show schedule," she says.

Gilbert also likes to use Buckskins for trail riding because they’re able to withstand the intense Arizona heat. She and her husband use their horses on the trails of Yavpai County, especially in the Sedona region and Coconino National Forest.

Although many breeders choose to focus on producing a particular color, both Gilbert and Murphy emphasize that breeding a horse with quality bloodlines always takes priority. "It’s quality first, color second obviously," says Gilbert. "I don’t think you can specialize in a color and substitute it for quality."

Palomino Horse
History highlights: Often the mount of royalty and the subject of artists both ancient and modern, horses with golden coats and a white mane and tail captured the attention of many before they became favorites on the trail. The modern-day Palomino Horse has roots that reach back to the prized horses of Queen Isabella’s court. The queen claimed that only royalty was fit to ride these golden horses. The name "Palomino" most likely originates from Juan de Palomino, who received one of these horses from Cortez, the Spanish conquistador.

Once the horses were exported to American soil, they were tamed by Native Americans of the Southwest. In a society inspired by one true color, the breed came to be coveted identified by its likeness to a 14-karat-gold coin.

Breed description: The Palomino Horse Breeders of America was founded in California in the late 1930s to maintain the breed’s registration, history, and quality. According to the PHBA, the Palomino must stand between 14 and 17 hands high, and resemble a similar shade to a U.S. gold coin. The skin can be gray, black, brown, or mottled, with pink only on the face or legs. A Palomino’s mane and tail must be white or flaxen, with fewer than 15 percent dark, sorrel, or chestnut hairs. Although they’re similarly colored, horses of perlino (a light, cream-colored coat with blue eyes and a darker mane and tail) and cremello (a cream-colored coat with a cream or white mane and tail) coloring can’t be registered with the PHBA.

On the trail: The first horse that Marilyn Carville owned, at age 10, was a Palomino, but she never expected that she’d own a second golden horse 51 years later.

"He was the first horse I saw," says Carville, describing the short horse-hunt six years ago that led her to Cowboy.

The double-registered Quarter Horse/Palomino has proven to be just the laid-back, versatile horse that Carville needed. In addition to the many trails they’ve traveled near their Placerville, California, home, the pair has been a part of Eldorado County’s Search and Rescue and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Posse.

Carville notes that it’s a rare occasion if Cowboy doesn’t receive a compliment when they’re out on a ride. "The word for him is always pretty or beautiful," she says.

Carville logs her hours on the trail with the PHBA Golden Trails Riding Program. The program recognizes riders who use their Palominos on the trail, but hours spent training, performing ranch work, and other activities are eligible, as well.

Pintos coats can be any color and a variety of patterns. Theyre also defined by conformational traits.

Pinto Horse
History highlights: The Pinto Horse’s history involves several origins. Ancient art featuring the loudly-patterned horse has been found throughout the Middle East, linking it to the Arabian Horse. Wild horses that roamed the Russian plains also had pinto markings.

These colorful horses also descend from the Barb stock, a hardy breed from North Africa that was used by Spanish explorers. When they were exported to the Americas, the Native Americans that acquired these unusually colored horses favored them not only for their natural camouflage, but also because they were believed to be strong and magical war steeds. Those that were turned loose or escaped from European conquerors developed into a compact, hardy, and high-spirited breed. When they were captured again later on, these characteristics made them more desirable work horses than the delicate breeds of the East.

The Pinto Horse Society was founded in the 1930s to focus on breeding superior colored horses. In 1956, the Pinto Horse Association, Inc., became the succeeding organization, with leaders who strived to improve bloodlines and give the diverse breed the attention it deserved. The Pinto was recognized as a breed in 1963.

Breed description: The Pinto is considered a color breed; therefore, the PtHA distinguishes them size, pattern, and type. The wide variety of classification recognized proves just how diverse the breed is. Here’s a rundown of each classification.

• Size: Depending on their height, Pintos are classified as miniature, pony, or horse.

• Pattern: Pintos are defined as tobiano, overo, or breeding stock. (For a description of tobiano and overo patterns, visit www.myhorse.com/trailrider; breeding-stock horses sport coats that lack the sufficient amount of white to qualify for the regular registry, but are Pintos by breeding.)

• Type: Pintos are defined by the conformational traits and the characteristics of the breeds with which they’re associated. The four types are: pleasure (Arabian, Morgan, Welsh or Shetland Ponies), saddle (gaited breeds), hunter (Thoroughbred, Connemara, or Welsh), and stock (Quarter Horse or Shetland).

On the trail: The PtHA, which distinguishes Pintos by markings rather than bloodlines, enables horses of a diverse background to be recognized for their versatility and achievement. After purchasing Dudley, a colorful horse with partly unknown Paint Horse lineage, trail rider Sue Dekalb became interested in the PtHA’s advantages and has since logged 1,788 miles with its On the Trail program.

"You can get the best of both worlds by having a horse with your favorite breed and still get the great colors of the [APHA]," she explains. Dekalb is able to enjoy Dudley’s Quarter Horse, stock-type characteristics, but also the pizzazz of a Paint Horse.

"There are lots of breeds that make excellent long-distance trail horses, like Arabians, and when you add color to that, you can get a flashy trail horse that can be registered as a Pinto," Dekalb says. She and Dudley are most likely to show their colors on the trails of Henry Coe State Park, California.