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The Palomino Horse Association was created in 1935 in the State of California as part of a continuing movement to promote the golden horses started by Dick Halliday. Mr. Halliday started the Original Palomino Registry by registering one of his own stallions in hopes that a breed of golden horses could be established. Part of his dream came true. Within a few years of his popularizing golden colored horses, there were many breeders nation wide specifically breeding for color.
However, the golden bodied horse with the ivory mane and tail that characterizes today's Palomino was not created in the 1930's. Evidence of the existence of Palomino horses goes back centuries and has been found all over the world. There are stories of Palominos being ridden by the Crusaders. They are depicted in ancient tapestries from Europe and Asia, as well as in Japanese and Chinese art.
Legend has it that the Palomino horse was considered the horse of royalty in Spain when Queen Ysabella ruled. Queen Ysabella was rumored to have had a herd of golden horses that numbered in the hundreds. They were specifically bred for their coat color, and were kept apart from common breeds of horses as well as from the common people. The riding and owning of the golden horses was reserved for royalty and the upper class alone. It has been recorded that queen Ysabella sent one golden stallion and 5 mares to her Viceroy in New Spain (which is now known as Mexico), to perpetuate the golden horse in the New World. Today it is believed that the Palomino horse originated from those brought over to Mexico. The golden blood then spread into Texas and eventually up into California. The true origin of the Palomino will probably never be determined. Like most breeds of light bodied horses, it's believed they originated from a cross between Arabians and Spanish Barbs.
Because the true lineage of the Palomino has never been accurately determined or recorded, the Palomino horse is not recognized as a horse breed, but as a color type. Many breeders of Palominos feel that the horses should receive designated breed status since the bloodlines from Spain are traceable and indicate breeding for not only a specific color type, but also for a specific breed type of horse as well. They would like to use the pedigrees of the Spanish bred horses as foundation stock from which to build an entire breed upon.
As it stands now, the Palomino Horse Association will accept and register a horse of any breed as long as it carries the classic golden coloring. The type standard is defined as the ideal horse having a coat the color of a gold coin, but the shade can vary from light, medium, to dark gold. The mane and tail should be white, ivory, or silver, but 15% dark or sorrel hair mixed in is allowed. The horse should have proper conformation as is appropriate to its breed type. As a result of the open registry, many different breeds are recognized as Palominos.
The Palomino is a multi-purpose horse. They are admired not only for their beauty but also for their versatility, maneuverability, and endurance. They can be found in many disciplines including but not limited to: ranching, racing, rodeos, pleasure riding, parades, shows, fiestas, jumping, trail rides, and all other equine activities.
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