As one of the fastest growing breeds in North America, the American Paint Horse is rapidly making its mark on the equine community. They are a relatively new breed that is based on conformation, bloodline, and color. To be registered, a horse's ancestry must come from a registered Paint Horse, American Quarter Horse, or a Thoroughbred – though one of the two parents must be a Paint Horse. In addition to this, the horse must meet certain color standards.

There are four major patterns; tobiano, overo, sabino, and tovero. Tobiano patterning is the most common and is characterized by white legs, rounded markings, and white over the back between the dock of the tail and the withers. Overo is a spotting pattern that has irregular and sharp markings. These marking are often more dark than white. The overo patterning may be accompanied by blue eyes and a white face. The tovero pattern is a mixture of tobiano and overo patterning, and the sabino is a slight spotting with white high on the legs and belly.

It's important to note that while a Paint Horse may register itself as a Pinto, a Pinto may not register as a Paint Horse unless it meets the breed's strict bloodline requirements.

The American Paint Horse owes its heritage to the narrow-sighted Quarter Horse Association. It excluded those horses that had a pinto pattern and horses that were born with white spots that were located above the hocks and knees. Because of its large fan base, enthusiasts of these colorful stock horses formed a vast array of organizations to preserve and promote the paint horse. In 1965, these groups merged into the American Paint Horse Association.

Though a popular show horse, the American Paint Horse of today has a willing attitude for work that makes it equally pleasurable at the ranch, rodeo, trail, or racetrack.

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