This Akhal Teke horse is one of myth and legend. Not only is the breed rare, but it is slowly fading away into the annals of history as a horse unlike no other. If horses were mere unicorns, it would not be difficult at all to compare them to the legendary and extraordinary beauty of the purebred Akhal Teke.

So, what makes this one horse breed so legendary? Actually, it isn’t just one thing that makes the Akhal Teke breed legendary. It’s lots of different things, each as unique as the breed itself.

Where It Is From

The Akhal Teke is from Turkmenistan. Turmenistan is a Central Asia country bordered by Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. If you know where Iran or Afghanistan are because of the many wars there, then you know approximately where the Akhal-Teke is from. In short, this powerful desert equine is able to move swiftly over the dunes, much like its Arabian cousin. Its coat is very short to help the animal stay very cool in the desert environment. In fact, anyone wanting to breed these horses in colder climes have to keep the horses in extremely warm barns during fall and winter to prevent the horses from becoming ill.

The Incredible, Magical Coat of the Akhal Teke Horse Breed

Perhaps what makes these horses stand out from all others and more desirable than any other breeds in the world is its coat. The coat of the Akhal Teke horse breed is extraordinary and very unique. It is very short for keeping the horse cool in hot, arid places, but it also refracts light.Did you get that? The coat refracts light.

It has this unique layering of hairs that splits and reflects light, making light bounce and shine off the coat as though the coat were magically lit from within. It makes these horses absolutely stunning to see, and leaves people in absolute awe. The horses supposedly developed this coat as an adaptive measure so that predators would not and could not see them shining brightly in the sand dunes of their native territory.

If you ever manage to see one of these horses in real life, and it has a golden, white or platinum coat, it will be the closest living approximation to what some would imagine a unicorn to look like. The coats come in a range of colors, but nothing quite hits you like the dazzling light refracting off the coat of a golden, platinum or white Teke.

Their Rarity

Their rarity is another reason why they are so desirable. They are hoarded by royalty of Turkmenistan and given as gifts of goodwill to other foreign leaders and emissaries. It is next to impossible to get the Turkmen to relinquish one, let alone a breeding pair, of these horses to leave their country.

It is understandable that they would not want the pure bloodlines of these horses to ever be muddied by other breeds as it would forever change the horses’ unique coats and body composition beyond recognition. However, it also presents the unique issue of causing the ancient breed to die out because not enough is being done to preserve them and help them survive when the horses are not allowed to leave their native country under penalty of law. Those who have managed to persuade Turkmen to sell two of the horses and export them had to do so under the strictest of contracts.

Those Who Own the Horses, Control the Horses

The Turkoman Empire once saw a magnificent horizon. Their incredible Turkoman horse was a horse breed that took centuries of careful breeding and patience to produce. A little bit of Arabian horse is in their blood, as seen by the fine outlines of the head and neck and the graceful legs. The Akhal Teke breed was originally bred for horse racing, much like the modern thoroughbred, except that the Akhal Teke’s stamina made it ideal for long races in sandy dunes through miles and miles of vast Karakum Desert. Later, endurance riding with these horses was so simple that even the youngest and least experienced riders of the Teke tribe could do it.

Now, the studbook is kept under such lock and key, purportedly in Ashgabat, Turmenistan’s largest city. Only those who own most of these horses in Turkmenistan are able to see which Akhal Teke stallion and which mare are fit to mate until both horses are no longer able to reproduce. It’s this tight-lipped security over the animals that put them at risk because of accidental inbreeding, or mating closely related animals outside of their native country. A decreased gene pool results, and the horses quickly become less able to thrive.

What This Equine Typically Eats in Its Original Habitat

While it is extremely unlikely that you will ever own this Turkmen horse, you might still want to know about their care and feeding. They live where there is almost no grass or green growing things most of the time. They often have to wander into mountain ranges far away to find food and forage. They eat whatever they can find and last on what they eat. Water is another problem, but as a race horse these animals have proven that they can go very long periods without water.

That’s not to say that you should never offer one water. It simply means that you should offer them just enough water and not over-water them. Grain is the closest thing to what they are fed in captivity, although the wild equines of this Central Asian country tend to eat whatever dry sparse weeds and grasses they can get. They may develop very sensitive digestive issues to the “beefy” grasses of American paddocks and meadows, so it is important not to let them over-consume as they roam.

They tend to be very lean horses with lots of muscle. If they eat too much or too fast, they could get bloat. Feed an Akhal-Teke small amounts throughout the day and monitor it for overeating while grazing.

Additionally, many problems can develop with their lungs, skin, coat, hooves, ears, and eyes, all due to their development over time in arid places. Placing one of these equines in a cold climate is a recipe for medical disaster. They cannot adapt well and they cannot adapt quickly to the cold either. Keep them very warm, blanketed all season, and indoors to prevent a number of health problems that result from being somewhere they are typically not used to being.

Their tiny, almost delicate hooves need a lot of care too. They will not take to mud the same way they can take to sand. Keep them shod and keep the hooves trimmed regularly to avoid thrush of their hooves, a painful condition and infection that takes a long time to heal if the animal develops it. Keep the frogs of the feet very clean so that your very shiny equine friend doesn’t end up unsound. If you take a holistic approach to prevent most illnesses and health problems with four-legged equine friends, you will rarely need to see a vet.

A Few Things to Know IF You Manage to Become an Akhal Teke Breeder

This ancient breed is not often bred outside of its native country. IF you are extremely fortunate to become an Akhal Teke breeder, there are a few things you should know and do. For one, you will need special permission from the Turk government to proceed. Two, your pair of horses will need to be tested for purebred blood. Three, you are more than likely going to be constrained never to cross these animals with any other equine UNLESS you have been told it is okay to do so.

That’s just for starters. Then you have to do genetic tests on your mare and stallion to make sure they are not close cousins, brother and sister, father and daughter, etc.. Any really close bloodlines will result in loss of foals and possible birth defects. It is serious business and seriously tricky business to be doing Akhal Teke breeding.

Rare Appearances in Public of These Equines

If you want to catch a glimpse of these modern-day “unicorns,” there are some places where you might spot one. Moreover, you may not spot a purebred, but a half-bred or partial bred equine. Despite the desire of the Turks to avoid this, some of the animals they have given as gifts ended up mating with other horses and producing foals with only a little of their ancestors’ amazing features.

For example, if you see a lean, small, limber equine with a shiny coat doing dressage, there is a good chance you may be looking at an A.T.. Since their shiny coats and ability to learn the delicate art of equine dressage is an ideal match, they are often trained to do this sport. In their native country they can be seen doing a lot of it in parades. If you happen to be in Ashgabat on a major national holiday, you will see one or more of these mythical beasts lightly stepping down the main streets of the city during a celebratory parade.

When Turk leaders give away a prized animal, there is often a press release about it. Then you will see one on TV or in a newspaper. There is quite the hullabaloo when this happens because of the extreme value and reluctance of the Turks to give away any of their prized national animals. On that note, you should also know that the animals are so prized that they are featured in many of the national monuments around the major cities in Turkmenistan.

Finally, if you happen to be anywhere in Central Asia during an important horse racing event, it would be most unusual not to see an A.T. in the race. Watch for the light refraction of the coat. It makes the animal stand out from all of the others against which it races. If many of the racing horses all have these shiny coats, you are looking at more than one A.T., particularly if you are in their home country.

FAQ and Quick Reference

Is the Akhal Teke horse gaited? Yes, in fact, smooth and flowing describes this amazing horse’s gait. This special and unique horse’s gait is further defined as selectively bred to perform a smooth to ride gait as well as intermediate speed and four-beat.

How fast can an Akhal Teke run? They are known and have developed a reputation for their intelligence, endurance, and incredible speed. They were considered one of the first and original racehorses.

What does akhal teke mean? Coming from Turkmenistan over 3,000 years ago, descending from the raiding horses, Akhal is associated with the nomadic and remote oasis. But its meaning is “pure”. And the second part of the name Teke means “tribe”.

Why are Akhal Tekes so shiny? The coat refracts light. It has this unique layering of hairs that splits and reflects light, making light bounce and shine off the coat as though the coat were magically lit from within. It makes these horses absolutely stunning to see.

Why are Akhal Tekes so rare? Due to economic and political turmoil in the late 1800’s in Russia, the Soviet region breeding barns began shutting down. The sleek-looking horse was no longer a priority and then began the gradual decline of this breed population. They are listed on the Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List (CPL).

What are A.T. horses used for? Many have partaken with this horse for general riding as well as competition. They perform well with several different disciplines including dressage, eventing, showjumping, and endurance. Although in Russia they are found in horse racing.

How much are A.T. horses? They can cost a pretty penny, consider about $10,000 on average. Although other points to consider are the training of the T.K., health, age, and pedigree status. This can significantly increase the cost. And, in particular, if they display the superior strong metallic sheen so well desired this can jump the price even more. So there are specific considerations when assessing the price of one of these beauties.

Some days you just feel like throwing in the towel, packing up all the very important stuff in your life, hitting the road, and waving goodbye to everything behind you. That is exactly the kind of feeling most Gypsies had. They were free to roam about, making their own way and their own lives, and enjoying the freedom of the open road.

I often dream about doing the same, especially since there are so many modern ways to update a gypsy caravan wagon to make it quite comfortable and functional. A few solar panels would provide all the heating, cooling and electricity you might need, and rest stops offer toileting as needed too. The only major purchase beyond the caravan wagon itself would be a gypsy vanner horse.

The gypsy vanner horse is the epitome of freedom. These elegant horses with their fine feathered feet immediately bring to mind the images of multiple gypsy wagons traversing Europe. If you are not familiar with the breed, you should become familiar because they are beautiful, wonderful symbols of a unique way of life.

The Gypsy Horse

hen gypsies were rousted from their homeland of Romania, they packed up all they had in wagons and left. They had no home country to go to because they were not allowed to return there. Instead, they turned to a Bohemian way of life, wagoning everywhere and stopping at night to cook, eat, drink, dance, and possibly make a little money. Over time, they learned to do certain carnival acts, like fortune telling, to make money for supplies they could not otherwise barter or borrow.

In their travels, they needed a small draft horse capable of pulling their wagons long distances. These horses had to be muscular and strong, but not so large as to overshadow the small wagons the gypsies called home. Their entire lives were in their tiny houses on wheels, and their horses had to look as though they weren’t going to dash those wagons going too fast around a curve.

Thus, the gypsy horse was born. It took a while to breed a Shire horse with a Clydesdale, and then breed a Clydesdale with a quarter horse or other smaller native draft horse to get an equine that was the perfect size and appearance for wagon pulling. The end result was the vanner, also known as the gypsy horse, the Irish Cob, the tinker horse (as some gypsies would tinker and fix things to earn money), and a host of other names.

The Breed Standard

For a very long time there was no breed standard for the gypsy cob. As such, the horses could not be registered as such or shown in competitions for driving, racing, jumping, dressage, Western, or English riding. In 1996, a standard was set so that these horses could be registered as a purebred animal, they could be judged on conformation and appearance, and they could be a horse breed that breeders would want to invest time and money in breeding.

Essentially the standard states that this equine has to appear as a small draft horse, one that is easily rideable if saddled. It should appear like a large-boned pony, or a lean and pared down draft. It should not be too fat, too big-boned, or too thick in any one area of its body. It should have lots of “feather” from knee and hock to hoof, giving it a fluffy sort of look when the horse picks up and moves its feet. The mane and tail need to be long and flowing, and a lot of judges like to see some of the mane braided.

The Typical Temperament of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Breed

The typical temperament of the gypsy vanner horse breed is mellow. These horses are rarely rambunctious or hostile. They show no signs of being hot-blooded and are very quiet and docile animals. It makes them a favorite with anyone who wants to introduce a young horse lover to horses, and a perfect first “pony” for newbie riders.

The only time you may see them act out is during mating season, or if something really startles them. Extremely loud noises like a gun going off may be enough to freak out a vanner, but they can also be trained to ignore loud noises. Many of these horses were used in mines at one point, where loud booms from dynamite occurred regularly. The animals were trained to ignore the dynamite explosions and thus remained calm. If you get a horse of the gypsy persuasion, watch for noises that startle it. Then you can train it to ignore those noises.

The Whole Cob Label on Gypsy Horses

People often think that “cob” or “Irish cob” is a horse breed. It isn’t. Referring to these horses as “gypsy cob” is actually a reference to its body composition. Any cob regardless of what other labels are applied means that the animal is short in stature, only slightly stocky due to a muscular build and are a very hearty sort of animal with great endurance. It also describes similar breeds with sweet dispositions.

Common Confusions and Misconceptions About the Gypsy Vanner Breed

The gypsy vanner breed is often confused with other equines. For example, it is assumed that these horses are paint horses because they frequently have pinto markings. However, any breeds can have the pinto markings, and only paints are a registered purebred animal. To reduce the confusion, many a horse lover familiar with the vanner breed will just refer to the markings by coloring (i.e., black and white, brown and white, etc.) and then to the vanner breed itself.

A purebred may also be confused for a drum horse. However, a drum horse is half a Clydesdale or Shire horse and half gypsy horses. The drum horses are an American invention gaining ground in registered horsey circles, but are not, as of yet, a fully recognized “purebred” on its own because of its mixed bloodlines.

Another animal for which the vanner horse is frequently confused is the Dales pony. Unfortunately, the Dales pony is just a pony, whereas the vanner horse is a little less stocky, slightly taller, and has a lot more feather around its legs and feet than the Dales pony. Some tend to consider it the “British gypsy,” but it is much older than a gypsy vanner horse and the “British gypsy” really doesn’t contribute to the genetic makeup of its lookalike cousin.

The Care of These Horses

A more holistic approach to the overall care of these horses goes a long way. Their feet and feathering, for example, requires extensive cleaning and daily grooming to keep it from getting matted, tangled, filthy, covered in burrs, crawling with blood-sucking pests, etc. They are beautiful, but they are also high maintenance for that very reason. Keeping them shod and trimming the hooves helps keep their feet healthy as well.

These animals will have very thick coats most of the year. It thins out a little in summer, but because they are draft animals, they are used to growing longer coats to stay warm in colder months. You will need to brush and curry them often. To keep the flowing manes and tails looking as they should, constant brushing and combing is needed.

As for diet, they are quite hearty. Oats, hay, apples, etc., are all good in adequate quantities, but these horses are happiest grazing late in the day and early afternoon. If you work with them pulling a gypsy caravan wagon, carriage, or in a competitive sport, be sure to water them often with clean and pure water for optimum health. They love to serve you, and are willing to train. Reward them with small treats and they are loyal and hardworking all their lives.

Breeding

During mating season, keep the stallion out of the pen and away from the mares until you are ready to create some cute little foals. A stallion may become quite aggressive and jump the fence, so keeping him in the barn may be a good idea when a mare is in heat. For extra guidance on breeding, consult Gypsy Gold, a gypsy-vanner foundation farm in Florida that has been in this business a long time now. You will be able to buy and sell healthy, sound animals from them and get good breeding advice as you begin this kind of business. Gypsy Gold can help you register your purebred animals too.

If you want to start a breeding program but you do not want to buy a stallion outright, you can pay a stud fee to another farm and their breeding program. They will send you a complete injection of stud semen. You will need your vet to inject it into your mare when she is ripe for fertilization.

Colors of These Horses

Many of these animals are piebald or skewbald, indicating a white and other solid color pattern. To see a solid color animal is rare, which makes them very desirable among horse lovers wanting to own a solid coloured horse of this persuasion. If you do see a solid coloured horse, they are often black, bay, chestnut or brown. OF course, black and chestnut are the solid colors everyone really wants.

Equines by Any Other Names…

As previously mentioned, you might encounter someone calling these animals “tinker horses.” A tinker horse is really any animal willing to pull a cart for a tinker, someone who fixes many things for pay. Even a quarter horse could be considered a tinker’s horsey! However, it is not uncommon to hear this phrase interchangeably with references to different breeds associated with or mistaken for the gypsy vanner breed.

Living the Roaming Life

There are a lot of Brits that choose to take a year or retire from life completely and buy up a wagon and an animal to pull it and just go. While that has really seemed to take off over there, it is slow to gain speed in the U.S.. While you can definitely buy the horses, the wagons are a little harder to come by. If you are really bent and intent on becoming a free-roaming spirit with your own wagon and horsey friend to pull it, you will need to do some digging to find a wagon builder. They are out there, and with the number of breeders making more of these horses, it won’t be too long before everyone else gets a similar idea.

FAQ

Can gypsy vanner horses jump? This breed was bred to pull wagons not necessarily jump. Their stocky build is not designed to jump easily. It doesn’t mean they can’t but you certainly wouldn’t want to acquire a gypsy for that purpose.

Are gypsy vanner horses cold-blooded? These incredibly adaptable equines are considered to be cold-blooded due to their heartiness and awesome disposition.

Are gypsy horses good for riding? Because of their incredibly laid back temperament, Gypsies can make great riding horses. They are more than suitable for trail riding, dressage, the English and Western discipline, and more.

Why are the gypsy vanner horses so expensive? Typically because they are not native to the United States. And they are in high demand because of so many admirable qualities such as being gentle, kind, docile, obedient, and versatile. They are all around a great family horse and wonderful to have around children.

Are cob horses good for beginners? Cobs can make an excellent horse for beginners and first-time horse owners. They have a docile and placid temperament which is great for the newbie to the horse world. Although, the Welsh Section D may not be as suitable to the beginner because that Section can be fiery and have a sharp ride. The Section D would be a choice of mount for a more confident rider.

How long do gypsy vanners grow? The vanner can take up to 5-7 years before they are done developing. They are considered slow developers, and very hardy though.

There are so many beautiful horses in the world, but very few can conjure up incredible equine fantasies quite like the golden Palomino. If you are old enough to remember Roy Rogers’ horse Trigger, or Mr. Ed (another famous palomino horse), or the golden beauty that was Xena, Warrior Princess’s beautiful horse, then you know exactly what these horses look like. What you may not know is the remarkable way in which these horses come about, and how hard it is to “strike palomino gold.”

Not a Breed, but a Color

These horses are not a color breed at all. In fact, more than half of all golden-colored horses are quarter horses first, palomino coloring second. Even so, you still may not have a true palomino horse! Confused yet? Most people who don’t know a lot about horses usually are.

In short, the golden coat color and white main and tail of these horses is a mutation throwing the cream gene or cream dilution gene. It is a very specific mutation, one which we’ll explain in a bit. Their color is not a breed; just a color, and it takes incredible patience and expertise to breed a golden horse into being.

The Color Mutation and How Difficult It Is to Achieve It

So, the white to cream-colored mane and tail and golden coat color of these horses is only achieved when two horses containing the mutated allele dominate the horse’s genetic makeup, hence the cream dilution gene. This sounds all highly scientific, and it is.

An allele in layman’s terms is a genetic mutation of a gene on a chromosome that is consistently located in the exact same place on said chromosome. It is usually one of two or more mutations on the same gene, too. If you were attempting to breed this specific mutation into the coat colors of an entire herd, you would need an equestrian

geneticist on staff to get exactly the right mutations on specific chromosomes over and over again.

Even then, you could breed two horses with the similar alleles for golden coats and cream-white manes and tails and still not get a palomino foal with golden color and palomino coat! That’s because it goes back to dominant genes and horse colors. Palomino horse breeders could spend an entire life as a breeder of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Quarter horse, and other horses where this mutation exists and maybe only achieve a small percentage of horses in your herd with the iconic golden coloring.

Conversely, if you have an equine breed that has the mutation in its body, but is definitely not golden-colored, it could still produce golden offspring. Without delving too much further into genetics, you should know that the allele mutations for golden coats and white mane, flaxen mane to cream manes and tails would have to match and dominate with relative frequency to manage to breed these horses consistently. It’s not impossible to do, but so incredibly difficult to achieve that only an equestrian geneticist would have any chance of coming close.

So, What Is a Palomino Horse?

What is a palomino horse, then, besides mutations on genes for coat and hair coloring? As previously mentioned, many of these palomino color horses are members of the quarter horse breed. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of all quarterhorses could be considered palominos. Additionally, any other horse breed that owes its ancestry to quarterhorses is subject to this color mutation, like the Tennessee Walking horse. Other horses, like the Thoroughbred, might be crossed with a quarterhorse and end up with the golden mutation.

Breed aside, these horses have quite the array of palomino coloring. They can be pale cream, almost white to dark liver bay, or so long as the white or cream mane or flaxen mane and tail exist. Many of them also have white markings on the face and socks or stockings of white on their legs. The most prized of these horses are the light to deep golden, almost chestnut coat color with pure white manes and tails. A true palomino horse also fades to a bland, uninteresting color in winter and then renews its vibrant coat again after spring shedding begins.

Looks Like One, But Is It?

There are plenty of horses out there that are naturally colored like palominos. However, if a geneticist examined the genes of these horses and did not find the mutated “cream dilution” alleles, they are not true palomino horses. It has to be a true color mutation to be referred to as one of the golden horses.

If you are a horse owner buy a horse because someone told you it was a much-desired golden horse, you should have it tested. There are horse genetics experts that can do this for you. It may cost you some money, but it’s worth it to find out if you really have a horse with this color mutation. It is also worth knowing if you intend to breed this horse and you are attempting to get one or more palomino foal with the golden coloring.

Keep in mind not all horse colors in this range are golden either. Some are more reddish-gold with chestnut horse hues. Some are more bay-colored, and a few are so dark or dun that no one would dare refer to them as the color mutated-palominos. Yet, if they have the mutated genes, they are (and can be) referred to as palominos.

Really Bizarre Mutations in Breeding

In an attempt to breed a golden horse line before they were able to understand that these horses are not a breed but a mutation, another color mutation resulted. If you have two palominos with dominant mutated diluted cream genes and you breed them together to get a golden foal, there is a very high chance you will get a cremello instead. A cremello is essentially the albino of palomino horses.

You know you have a cremello horse when the horse’s deep pink skin shows through its almost white coat and its very pale blue eyes take the place of the darker eyes common in its golden cousins. This mutation is related to, but is not exactly the same, like that for palominos and is a result of attempting to breed gold-colored horses as a breed. If you attempt to breed a cremello mutation with another horse, the offspring may have multiple health problems.

Association With Royalty

Not surprisingly, these golden horses were once prized by royalty. Imagine having a carriage drawn by four, eight, or twelve matching golden-colored horses! It would be quite the sight, wouldn’t it? That’s exactly what Kings and Queens were thinking when they would have several of these horses in their stables. The trouble was, they didn’t know or realize back then that you couldn’t just breed an entire herd of gold-colored horses because they weren’t a breed but a color mutation.

Eventually, the idea of a golden equine carriage team fell by the wayside when other horse breeds became much more interesting and popular among royalty. It was then that these horses began a different path towards North America. Here they were bred to wild and nearly a wild horse that would be ridden by Native Americans for hunting, raiding, etc.. Yet, most people still think of them as a rare and beautiful sort of equine that is nearly impossible to achieve through breeding practices (and they’re mostly right).

Want Your Own Golden Horse?

It is almost impossible to resist the idea of owning your own palomino-gold horse. Yet, it is equally as simple to be fooled by the “fool’s gold” version of these horses too. If your primary goal and focus in life is to have a true golden-palomino mount, you will need to have the genes of the horse for sale tested by an independent equine gene company. Only such a test can attest to finding real gold in a horse’s genetic makeup.

Naming Your Golden Horse

As far as horse names are concerned, being a horse lover, you could name your horse just about anything. It doesn’t have to be related to its coat color, although most people will use such a horse name anyway. Here is an example list of names a lot of people typically name their gold-colored horses:

• Goldie
• Golden Boy
• Prince or Princess
• Starshine or Starlight
• Sunshine or Soleil (the French word for sun)
• Nugget
• Pyrite
• Au (the abbreviation for gold on the chemistry table of elements)
• Precious
• etc., etc.

However, if your horse is a purebred of any breed, and it has registration papers, there is a good chance you don’t have to name it anything. Its dam and sire have both contributed to its name. That name cannot be legally superseded because of the horse’s lineage. If you just want to use a “gold” nickname when spending time with your horse you can.

Identifying Health Risks

There are no mutated-color gene-specific risks beyond those associated with creating cremellos. If you have a cremello, it might be blind, deaf, or have some other hereditary gene-specific issue. Inbreeding in an attempt to get more golden horses also produces massive congenital health issues, but if you are not intending on attempting to breed horses to get this type of color, it’s not an issue.

On the flip side, these horses can experience many of the health issues related to a specific breed. Since quarterhorses make up half of all palominos, the health risks associated with quarterhorses should be considered before purchasing an equine pet. If you have a vet do a thorough health check on a horse prior to purchase, that makes a huge difference in the health of the animal from the start.

Find out what breed or breeds a horse is before you jump at the chance of owning a shiny gold horse. Then you will know exactly what you are getting into before you buy it. Most of the general health issues horses have can easily be treated through proper diet and exercise, regardless of the breed of the horse or the color of its coat. Be prepared for expenses related to horse ownership and you should be fine.

FAQ and QUICK REFERENCE

Is a palomino a breed of horse? No, it has to do with having a particular gene. The Quarter horse and the Tennessee Walking horse are commonly Palomino.

How tall are palomino horses? There is no specific height of the palomino since they can come from multiple different types of horse breeds.

Do you know the difference between a palomino horse and a cremello? A cremello is essentially the albino of palomino horses. This results from breeding two palominos with the dominant mutated diluted cream genes and this increases the risk of health issues.

What are the differences between buckskin and palomino? The primary difference is the buckskin will have black lower legs, tail, and mane. Where the palomino will not have the black points.

Where did palominos come from? The palomino received its name from Royalty in Spain; Palomina. They came to America in 1519, brought by Cortes.

Does a palomino have a good temperament? The palomino has as good a temperament as the breed it comes from. Most are Tennessee Walkers or Quarter horses and these horses have good temperament in general. Each horse is unique in its own right and should be considered as so.