The American Paint Horse Association, or APHA, was formed in 1965 by blending two other entities that were formed to register the paint colored offspring of Quarter Horse bloodlines. The Quarter Horse registry did not at that time allow registration of paint or spotted foals, fearing that it indicated offspring that may carry a lethal gene. The APHA currently registers horses exhibiting the overo, tobiano and tovero white spotted patterns. The registry also handles horses of known Paint bloodlines, regardless of whether or not they exhibit the spotted pattern.
Because the registry exists to record horses exhibiting a particular color type, cross registration is common. A horse of entirely Quarter Horse bloodlines, exhibiting the paint coloration, could be registered with both the APHA and the AQHA. Since the advent of DNA testing, paint registrations within the AQHA are acceptable. The APHA also recognizes Thoroughbred cross registration. Other breed associations such as the Arabian Horse Association and the American Morgan Horse Association accept paint crosses in their half breed registries. Cross registering your Paint is a good idea, because it allows you to enter the horse in more breed specific shows, as well as adding resale value to the animal. If you would like to register your Paint horse with more than one association, check over their guidelines to find the appropriate fees and proofs required for registry.You thought this was good? Brace yourself: Marketing the American Paint Horse