Palomino Horse Association
Route 1, Box 125
Nelson, Missouri 65347
www.palominohorseassoc.com
The Palomino has journeyed down through the pages of history. There are stories about golden horses among the Arabs and the Moors. Crusaders remembered the “Golden Ones” on the battlefield when they fought the desert chiefs of Saladin who rode them. During the crusades, the Muslim leader Saladin presented Richard the Lionheart of England with two splendid war horses; one was a gray, the other a golden Palomino. There are other numerous leaders throughout history that have owned Palominos.
The place of origin of the Palomino probably never will be conclusively determined. Myths and legends of various countries shroud its beginning, which is no modern phenomenon. The golden horse with ivory-colored mane and tail appears in ancient tapestries and paintings of Europe and Asia, as well as in Japanese and Chinese art of past centuries. Nowhere has the first history of the Palomino been recorded, but most horsemen agree that all light-bodied horses have descended from the Arabian and the Barb. There are many Arabian Palominos that are registered with the Palomino Horse Association and they are definitely palomino colored.
These splendid golden horses were favored by Her Majesty Isabella of Bourbon, the beloved queen who pawned her jewels to pay for the expenses of Columbus’s first expedition to the New World. In the Remuda Real (royal horse herd) of Spain, Isabella kept a full hundred Palominos. As they were the chosen favorites of the crown, only members of the royal family and nobles of the household were permitted to ride them; a commoner was not allowed to own one. It is on record that Isabella sent a Palomino stallion and five mares to her viceroy in New Spain (Mexico) to perpetuate the golden horse in the New World. From this nucleus, Palomino blood spread from the Texas plains to California.
Palomino Morab mare. Bridget Lockridge
The word “Palomino” is a Spanish surname. Many feel that Palomino is only a color and not a breed, which is true that the color of palomino is apparent in all breeds. Yet the Palomino of Spanish times, the “Golden Dorado,” was as close to being a breed as any strain of horse. The Dorado was of Arabic-Moorish-Spanish blood and breeding, closely akin to the Arabian and the Moorish Barb.
The Palomino of Spanish times was not bred by being crossed with sorrels. The Spanish had many shades of golden horses, and when they did use corral breeding (enclosing two horses for definite breeding purposes), a light-colored Palomino mare would be mated with a dark-colored Palomino stallion. This point has been noted in an old book printed in Barcelona in 1774.
Palominos in the Media
The Palomino’s flashy gold color and ivory mane and tail attract attention wherever it goes, but it is also a multipurpose horse. Palominos are admired not only for their stunning beauty, but for their versatility, maneuverability, and endurance. They can be found in ranching, racing, rodeos, pleasure riding, parades, shows, fiestas, jumping, trail rides, and all other equine activities. There are even a few Palomino movie stars, including Trigger, Trigger Jr., and Mr. Ed, which were registered with the Palomino Horse Association. Trigger and Trigger Jr. were the faithful mounts of the the famous singing cowboy and movie star, Roy Rogers. Trigger was a half Quarter Horse, half Thoroughbred Palomino. Everyone remembering the 1940s and 1950s knew Trigger. In the 1960s, Mr. Ed, the talking horse, starred in his own eponymous TV series.
Whatever event the Palomino participates in, it draws attention with its colorful glamour. Many Palominos are ridden in parades where their beauty is highlighted and has brought them much popularity. The Palomino Horse Association has had many horses that were ridden in the Tournament of Roses Parade, with some still participating today.
Registry
In the United States, the Original Palomino Registry began in 1935 when Dick Halliday registered the golden stallion El Rey de los Reyes. Halliday researched the golden horse for many years and wrote magazine articles that brought the Palomino to public attention. His articles created a great deal of interest, and within a few years, hundreds of breeders were specializing in the propagation of Palomino horses.
Today’s Palomino Horse Association is the continuation of the Original Palomino Registry incorporated in 1936. It has many sanctioned shows and members throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world. The registry includes horses from many different countries and does not discriminate against any breed, but recognizes all breeds based on color and conformation. There are horses from every breed registered with the Palomino Horse Association except draft horses and ponies, which cannot be registered, but are issued a Palomino draft or pony certificate under those headings.
Singing cowboy star Roy Rogers poses with his Palomino horse, Trigger, in a 1960s publicity still.
Also recognized are unregistered horses with the color that proves to be Palomino. The conformation would depend on the breed of horse, as all breeds differ in their size and other requirements.
Palomino Morab stallion. Pam O’Connell
Characteristics
The ideal Palomino color is that of a gold coin, but the shade can vary from light gold to medium or dark gold. The mane and tail should be white, ivory, silver, or flaxen, but 15 percent dark or sorrel hair mixed in is allowed.
In the last few years, cream-colored horses with blue eyes have been accepted. It has been researched and proven that these light-colored Palominos always produce a Palomino and, therefore, are definite breeding stock.
White blazes and white stockings are allowed, but not spots. The body color must be some shade of solid gold. The gold color and flowing white mane and tail are outstanding and outshine most other colors; however, accepted colors can range all the way from cremello to chocolate (dark gold) palomino. The mane and tail should be kept clean and cared for to maintain the white, silver, or flaxen color. Bleaching them white is not allowed.
Credit: Palomino Horse Association