Five things you didn’t know about palominos

They turn heads and are loved by many, but palominos are as interesting as they are beautiful. Although they’re commonly known for their gold coat and blonde mane and tail, there’s so much more to these stunning steeds than you might think.

1. They come in a variety of shades

While their coat is always a golden colour, it can vary in tone and shade. From pale to bright gold coats and white to cream coloured manes, they come in a whole range of stunning shades.

2. They change with the seasons

Like loads of other colours, palominos can look completely different in summer compared to winter. Their coat may lighten and show dappling in summer, or they could be a deep golden-brown colour in winter.

3. Palominos have two specific genes

The palomino colouring comes from two different genes – a chestnut base coat and a cream dilution gene. Some ponies look palomino, but without these genes they’re not the real deal. For example, Haflingers look palomino, but genetically they’re chestnut!

4. Selective breeding can produce a palomino

If you bred a cremello with a chestnut, there’s a 100% chance of producing a palomino pony! But did you know, breeding two palominos together only gives you a 50% chance of getting a palomino foal?

5. Most palominos are Quarter Horses

Many breeds can be palomino, but the breed most likely to produce stunning palomino foals is the Quarter Horse. Believe it or not, 50% of registered palominos are Quarter Horses!