A palomino is a horse with a golden or cream-colored coat and a white or light-colored mane and tail. The word describes the horse's coloring, not a specific breed. You might find palominos among Quarter Horses, Morgans, or many other breeds.

The golden coat can range from pale cream to deep, shiny gold, almost the color of a new penny. The contrast between the golden body and flowing white mane and tail makes palominos especially striking. Roy Rogers, the famous cowboy actor, rode a palomino named Trigger who became nearly as famous as Rogers himself.

Not every light-colored horse qualifies as a true palomino: the coat needs to be within a specific range of golden shades, and the mane and tail should be white or very light, not dark.

Palominos appear frequently in Western movies, parades, and horse shows because their coloring catches the eye so beautifully. They're popular horses for riding and showing, valued for their appearance as well as their abilities in various equestrian activities.