Paint Horses - All information wanted

[FelicityB]

Hi Everyone,

I have always found something so interesting about coloured horses, and one has recently caught my eye. It's only 5 and I have bought on many 5 years olds over my equestrian years, but it's a paint horses and I know absolutely nothing about paint horses. Nor have I actually seen one my days of eventing/competing... is there a reason for this? I know it can be very stereo typical to categorise in bred or colour or sex, but there are always some truths I think.

Any help or information for hands on experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rhandir]

do you mean coloured horses in general or actual American Paint horses ?

 

[Enfys]

I am assuming you mean an APHA, as opposed to 'Paint' as the generic description for anything that isn't solid coloured?

As a breed they are good horses if you like that sort of thing, as with any other type, get a good one and they can do anything within their physical and mental limitations, and some go the extra mile, and they can go like s**t off a shovel when you ask them to, the acceleration is phenomenal.

As a breed (on the whole, but they are individuals) they are placid, easy to train, easy keepers and can be incredibly loyal.
Conformation is a little different to European horses some can be very 'posty', and some of the halter bred ones are butty' - look like beef cattle in other words, it depends on the breeding.

Paints are basically Quarter horses with white bits, they share many of the same bloodlines, anything a QH can do, so can a Paint When all said and done, they are just horses, the same as any other, some are saints some are not so much so.

APHA: http://my.apha.com/

 

[FfionWinnie]

Oh oh oh, I have one!!

Same happened to me, I didn't go looking for one, but one caught my eye, I didn't know that much about them although my friend has one.

I wanted a horse I could do RC, small xc etc and have fun hacking out on. I did not want a tb or x (been there done that) and I wanted a coloured one. Not a hairy coloured one .

Soooo I went to see her and bought her! *Have had her a month and she is super. *Few problems with her mouth/bits but I am riding her in a hackamore now and she is going really well.

She is only 4 so I haven't done loads with her yet but her basic temperament is really calm, I can take her in the cattle trailer out and about and despite not having travelled much she is really sensible.

Keep in mind they are built downhill and they have a naturally low head carriage. Mine can definitely jump

Mine is very independent, very very intelligent and quite sharp. *Her father is Docs Smokin Apache who is the top paint reining stallion in the UK. Her mother is a QH. I have been told plenty of QH blood in a paint is a good thing as the paints can be scatty, I don't know how true that is but mine has a lot of QH and she is not scatty. She is sensitive and clever tho.

 

[cornbrodolly]

If she is a 'proper' Paint horse her conformation is [generslly speaking-dont shoot me down!] against jumping and long distance speed work. This is because the heavier quarter horse conformation- which many paints are - are downhill horses, with heavy shoulders and hind quarters. Also, beware boxy feet- navicular indemic in quarter horses.
If you want a runaround horse, or do western classes thats fine - but dont expect an eventer/athletic type.temperamnet should be very docile and tractable ,however, so thats a great plus!

 

[FelicityB]

Thanks everyone this is great feedback. I've learnt a lot in a short space of time, really appreciate all of your comments and time to tell me all these things! Will see what's what when I go and see him, but this certainly helps me look out for quite a lot.

 

[Hen]

If you've got any specific questions you might want to contact the UK Paint Horse Association - http://www.ukpha.co.uk/ - I think they are also on FB.

 

[mel_s]

I have 3

I disagree with what is said above though - depends on their lines. My paint gelding would probably be best suited to endurance type work because he can go all day. He can also jump like a spring! Hes a bit rubbish at western (what i wanted him for) as hes better at all the other stuff. He'd also be good at dressage if i put the work in as he has good paces.

Temperament wise - they are fab! Mine is responsive and clever without being a nutcase.

 

[Hawks27]

My new paint horse arrive 6weeks ago and i absoloutely lvoe him hes so laid back nothing bothers him he follows me everywhere loves his cuddles so gentle and kind, hes not backed yet as spent his 1st 5yrs as a stallion and was only gelded last year but playing in the field he prances around like an arab has a fab turn of hoof but at the same time is so balanced and graceful he's great to watch. I'm a quarter horse and spansih fan and find these a little lighter in build but generally taller still strong animals and i intend to use mine as a western trail horse / distance hackng, but he also has a very nice pop in him so may consider a little jumping too. Great natural doers for food and turn out weirdly warm too i find i don't need to rug him or quarter horse much which supriosed me. wouldnt swap him for anything