The Palomino horse is one of the most popular and beloved horse breeds in the world. This stunning animal has a distinctive golden coat with a white mane and tail, and its deep chestnut color eyes make it truly special. It can be found in many different climates, from cold to tropical. The breed originated in Spain around the 16th century and was brought to the United States during the Spanish colonization.
Palomino Characteristics
What Does a Palomino Horse Look Like?
A Palomino is a horse of any breed or mixture of breeds with a golden coat and white mane, tail and stockings. The Palomino’s golden body color is created by the presence of the cream gene, which produces a pale yellow to reddish gold coat. The white mane, tail and stockings are caused by the presence of the champagne gene. Palominos can range from light cream to a deep golden sorrel color. The shades vary from horse to horse, but should always be richer than the body coat color.
Size
Palomino horse size varies significantly, depending on the horse’s breed. Most Palominos stand between 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches, 142 to 163 cm) at the withers. They usually weigh around 1,000-1,200 pounds.
Temperament
Palominos are known for their calm, gentle disposition and agreeable nature. They can be easily trained and make good family horses or mounts for novice riders. Palominos are also quite intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement.
What are Palomino Horses Used for?
Palomino horses are well-suited for a variety of activities such as recreational riding, show jumping, dressage, eventing and more. They can also be used in equestrian sports such as barrel racing, pole bending and reining. Palominos make great trail horses because of their calm and even temperament.
How Long do Palomino Horses Live?
Palomino horses can live up to 25 years or longer with proper nutrition and care. The average lifespan for a healthy Palomino is between 20-30 years.
Palomino Horse Price
Palomino horses can range in price, depending on their age, condition, and training. A young Palomino with basic training can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000. An older Broodmare or Stallion with advanced training could cost as much as $20,000 or more.
Regular Monthly Palomino Horse Expenses
Owning a Palomino horse can be expensive. Monthly costs include farrier and vet fees, feed, hay, supplements, grooming supplies, bedding, training fees and other miscellaneous items.
- Feeding – Depending on the horse’s size and activity level, hay costs alone can range from $50 to $200 or more per month. Grain and supplements should also be included in your budget if necessary. Hay cubes, pellets, beet pulp and senior feeds are all popular feed choices for Palomino horses.
- Boarding – Boarding expenses can account for the majority of your horse’s monthly costs. A quality board barn may charge anywhere from $200 to over $400 a month, plus additional fees for extras like training and farrier care.
- Farrier Care – Farriers will typically trim or shoe a Palomino horse every 6-8 weeks. The average fee for trimming is between $30 and $40, with shoeing costing anywhere from $300 to over $600 depending on the type of shoes required.
- Vet Care – Your Palomino horse will need regular checkups and vaccines at least once a year. Other vet expenses may include deworming, dental care, colic treatment, and other medical procedures or treatments. Vet bills can range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the situation.
- Training – Palomino horses are known to be intelligent, but they require training to reach their full potential. Costs for hiring an experienced horse trainer will vary depending on the level of skill needed and the number of sessions required. Typical training fees range from $500-$1500 or more.
- Dentistry – Palomino horses need regular dental care, which is typically done with a power float. This can cost up to $250 per visit.
- Saddle, saddle pad, brushes, bridles, and bits – Depending on the level of quality, these items can range from $500-$1500 or more.
