Dapple Grey
Tartan of the Day
Jul 11
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The Day of the Horse
"No heaven can heaven be, if my horse isn’t there to welcome me."
~ Unknown
Of the many tartans recognizing horses of distinction, the Palomino horse is well deserving of this this beautifully rendered golden tribute tartan which celebrates its striking appearance—a warm, golden coat paired with a creamy white mane and tail that gleam in the sunlight!
Its distinctive coloring isn’t a breed in itself but a genetic color type, produced by a single cream dilution gene acting on a chestnut base. As a result, Palominos can be found in many breeds, from Quarter Horses and American Saddlebreds to Arabians and Morgans. Their radiance made them popular in ancient cultures as well; golden horses appear in Greek and Roman art, often symbolizing the divine or the heroic.
One of the most iconic Palominos in modern times was Trigger, Roy Rogers’ faithful partner and “the smartest horse in movies.” Trigger’s intelligence, gentle temperament, and unmistakable gold coat made him a legend both on and off screen. Another well-loved Palomino was Bamboo Harvester, better known as Mr. Ed, the wisecracking equine star of the 1960s TV show. His sandy-gold coloring and expressive face helped cement his place in television history—talking or not!
Beyond celebrity, Palominos have long been prized for their beauty, versatility, and calm manner. Their shimmering coats can actually change shades slightly with the seasons, becoming richer in summer and softer or lighter in winter. Neigh! Neigh! 🤎 🧡 💛 🤍 🐴 🐴 🐴
The National Day of the Horse, December 13th, encourages people to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history and character of the United States.
The domesticated horse we know today, also known as Equus caballus, was introduced into North America by Spanish explorers. Escaped horses eventually spread across the American Great Plains.
From clearing forests for farmland and a form of travel bringing pioneers to the west, to diversifying Native American’s hunting habits and rounding up live stock on ranches, the horse is embedded in American history and legend.
This tartan, designed by Carol A.L. Martin, is for the Palomino horse, named for its beautiful golden coat and white mane and tail.
Due to their distinctive colouring, palominos stand out in a show ring, and are much sought after as parade horses. They were particularly popular in movies and television during the 1940s and 1950s. One of the most famous palomino horses was Trigger, known as "the smartest horse in movies", the faithful mount of the Hollywood cowboy star Roy Rogers. Another famous palomino was Mr. Ed (real name Bamboo Harvester) who starred on his own TV show in the 1960s.
For more on the genetics of the Palomino horse, including a wonderful picture of a Palomino mare and her Chestnut foal, click the galloping Palomino.