Palominos are not considered rare in the horse world. While they may be less common than other coat colors, such as chestnut or bay, palominos can be found in various horse breeds and populations worldwide.
In the Thoroughbred breed, palominos do exist, but they are not officially registered as palominos by the Jockey Club. This is because the Jockey Club has strict registration standards based on parentage and physical characteristics, and palomino is not an accepted color for registration. Instead, palomino Thoroughbreds are registered as chestnut, which is a more common coat color in the breed.
It is worth noting that the term “palomino” refers to a specific coat color rather than a specific breed. Palomino horses have a golden or tan coat with a white or cream-colored mane and tail. This color is the result of a dilution gene acting on a chestnut base coat.
Historically, palomino horses were highly regarded and sought after. In fact, a band of palomino horses was sent to Mexico by Queen Isabella of Spain in the 1500s. These horses became the foundation stock for the development of the Palomino horse breed, which was later established in the United States.
While the Palomino breed itself may be rarer due to specific breed standards and selective breeding practices, palomino coat color can be found in various other breeds and crossbreeds. Palominos can be seen in Quarter Horses, Arabians, Paint Horses, Appaloosas, and many other breeds. They are also popular in the recreational horse industry and often used in various disciplines such as trail riding, Western pleasure, and even dressage.
While palominos may be less common than some other coat colors, they are not considered rare in the horse world. They can be found in various breeds and populations worldwide, and their popularity and presence in different disciplines showcase their versatility and appeal.