Definition

Noun: 1. A horse with a distinctive coat color: A palomino is a horse whose coat is a light, golden tan or yellow color, similar to a newly minted gold coin. This color is paired with a white or very light cream-colored mane and tail. The body color can range from a very pale, almost white cream to a rich, deep gold.

Usage Notes

• The term "palomino" describes a coat color pattern, not a specific horse breed. Horses of many different breeds can be palomino if they have this specific coloring.
• It is used as both a common noun () and, when referring to a specific horse, as a proper noun ().

Examples

• The rancher bought a beautiful palomino with a flaxen mane.
• In many Western films, the hero often rides a striking golden palomino.
• Her favorite horse at the stable is a palomino named Buttercup.

Advanced Usage

• Genetic Basis: The palomino color is created by a single dilution gene acting on a chestnut (red) base coat. This genetic combination lightens the red pigment to gold and the black pigment (in the mane and tail) to white.
• Breed Associations: While not a breed itself, some breed registries, like the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA), work to record and promote horses of this color.

Variants and Related Words

• Palomino coloring (n.): The specific golden coat with a light mane and tail.
  • The foal shows classic palomino coloring.

Synonyms

• Golden horse: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
• Cream horse: Can be used, though it may refer to horses with a lighter, creamier coat than the typical golden palomino.

Different Meanings

• Palomino has no other common meanings in modern English. It refers exclusively to the color of a horse. It is not to be confused with place names or other proper nouns that may share the name.

Noun

1. a horse of light tan or golden color with cream-colored or white mane and tail