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