History on Paint Horses
When Paint horses come to mind, most people envision an Indian of the American plains seated upon a white horse with patches of brown. While the Paint was indeed the favorite mount of Native Americans, its history dates back to ancient times.
Earliest Records of the Paint
Many primitive drawings on the walls of prehistoric caves display horses with multicolored markings. Later, similar paintings on the walls and pottery of ancient civilizations in India, China and Egypt testified to the popularity of this colorful breed.
The Paint in American History
The natural environment of early America was such that horses should have flourished there. Still, prior to 1519, there is no evidence of their existence on the continent. It is suggested that they became extinct due to some cataclysmic occurrence. When the Spanish explorer Cortez landed in North America, his entourage included 16 horses, at least one of which was Paint. In time, herds of wild horses roamed across the American prairies, among them the descendants of this first spotted variety.
The Paint became the favorite breed of the American Indian. The Indians, and the Comanches in particular, admired them for their splashy colors. The Indians not only decorated themselves for battle with feathers and paint, but also their horses. With a multicolored horse, much of the decorative work was already accomplished by nature. They also respected the animals' gentle nature, intelligence and versatility. Paints were also popular with the general population, and often seen in competitive attractions such as rodeos and races.
The Paint Today
The most popular American breed today is the Quarter horse. The only thing that distinguishes them from Paints is their solid color. When the American Quarter Horse Association established its pedigree standards in the early 1940s, it specifically excluded horses whose coats were of a painted pattern. Fans of the traditional Quarter horse who also wanted recognition for those with a flair of color established the American Paint Horse Association in 1965.