Amaretto Breedables Customer Connection

Palomino is a genetic color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white mane and tail; the degree of whiteness can vary from bright white to yellow. Genetically, the palomino color is created by a single allele of a dilution gene called the cream gene working on a “red” base coat.

Palomino horses have a yellow or gold coat, with a white or light cream mane and tail. The shades of the body coat color range from cream to a dark gold. Unless also affected by other, unrelated genes, palominos have dark skin and brown eyes, though some may be born with pinkish skin that darkens with age. Some have slightly lighter brown or amber eyes.
In the United States, some palomino horses are classified as a color breed. However, unlike the Appaloosa or the Friesian, which are distinct breeds that also happen to have a unique color preference, Palomino color breed registries often accept a wide range of breed or type if the animals are properly golden-colored. The Palomino cannot be a true horse breed, however, because palomino color is an incomplete dominant gene and does not breed “true”. A palomino crossed with a palomino may result in a palomino about 50% of the time, but could also produce a chestnut (25% probability) or a cremello (25% probability). Thus, palomino is simply a partially expressed color allele and not a set of characteristics that make up a “breed.”

Waaaay back in the dawn of time when Amaretto started, they had starters called Palominos. They were primitive horses, who could barely use tools, and had no knowledge of traits or racing free on the range. They were the creme, the golden, the silver and the shy tan.

Eventually, they acquired traits but still worried about their looks.

One day the 2.0 update appeared as if by magic, and Lo! they changed their appearance. Their legs became slender and graceful, and their colors became truer.

Today the palomino coat is retired after a long life of hard work and breeding. Luckily for breeders, they can still be bred from existing lines and have been used to create some interesting horses, like the Twist horse, the Pintomino which came from breeding any color Pinto to any color Palomino.

My personal favorite color of Palomino is the gold, which always reminds me of Roy Rogers and Trigger. I like to try and duplicate him by adding coat and hair gleam to the gold Palomino coat, with long/long traits.

What is YOUR favorite Palomino?