| The American Paint Horse is a breed of horses which | | | | which is the same as the American Quarter Horse. |
| are known for having a percentage of white hair over | | | | They should be heavy but not very tall, and their |
| skin combined with another color. This color pattern is | | | | center of gravity should be low. They should also be |
| one of the most important characteristics of this breed. | | | | very muscular with a powerful back legs. They should |
| The American Paint Horse Association is one of the | | | | also be able to run extremely fast and maneuver |
| largest breed register centers in the US. | | | | quickly. The American Paint Horse is one of the most |
| Every American Paint Horse has white hair combined | | | | popular breeds of horses in the United States today. |
| with some other color found in horses. This includes | | | | Despite this, these horses are susceptible to getting |
| brown, black, tan, or gray. American Paint horses are | | | | lethal white syndrome, a genetic disease. Some foals |
| related to the American Quarter Horse, and share the | | | | are born with a pure white color and do not have a |
| same ancestors. The markings on these horses can | | | | functioning colon. As of this writing, no effective |
| be anywhere on its body. Like the Quarter Horse, | | | | treatments have been found for this disease, and the |
| American Paint Horses are known for their speed and | | | | foal usually dies within two weeks. The death is a very |
| athletic qualities. | | | | painful process, and they are typically put down once |
| Strict requirements are necessary in order to register | | | | symptoms have been found. The coat color alone is |
| these horses. Both the sire and dam have to be | | | | not an indicator that a horse has this disease. |
| registered in the APHA and the club for | | | | This disease has become well known among |
| Thoroughbreds. At least one of the parents of the | | | | American Paint Horse breeders, and many of them |
| horse being registered must be an American Paint | | | | have encountered this disease first hand. While it was |
| Horse. It is also important that the horse being | | | | thought at one time that overos carried this disease, |
| registered have white fur over skin which is another | | | | recent research has shown that not all overos carry |
| color. These horses have an excellent temperament, | | | | this disorder, and tobianos and quarter horses may |
| and make great pets. | | | | carry it also. Despite these conditions, American Paint |
| The American Paint Horse should have a body shape | | | | Horses are highly prized. |