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Albino horse
| Country Of Origin | United States |
| History and Background | The Albino takes its name from the Latin word "Albus," which means white. However, the Albino horse does not have albinism disorder (i.e. insufficient melanin production), but is merely white. As such, it is not weak and does not have poor eyesight as some people may claim. In other words, the Albino horse may look like an albino but it is not an albino in the real sense of the word. In truth, the Albino horse is just a white coloured horse -- nothing more, nothing less. Historically recognized as a royal mount, only noblemen, heroes, and other affluent members of the royal family had the right to ride the Albino or white horse. So much so, in fact, that the Albino became the rallying point during ancient wars, as it was usually the mount of the commanding officer. For instance, El Cid, (a Castilian nobleman and military leader, used a white horse in legendary battle fought in Spain. Napoleon also had a stable of white horses. Furthermore, many during the Renaissance period commissioned portraits of themselves riding a white horse. Indeed, the white horse is the symbol of elegance, beauty, courage, wealth, and royalty. Many experts believe the American Albino breed began with a single white stallion named Old King. This white horse sired many white-coated foals even when the mothers of such foals were non-white mares. Old King was purportedly of Arab Morgan extraction, although there are no records to verify this; his lines, size and proportion, however, were typical of this breed. It is Old King’s white-coated progeny that the AAHA (American Albino Horse Association) accepted in its registry. Another association, the White Horse Club, is in charge of collecting live Albino horses and experimenting in Albino breeding methods. The modern Albino horse is still mainly used for riding today. |
| Use Today | Varies |
| Height | 15 hands high (60 inches, 152 centimeters) |
| Colour | White |
| Characteristics | The Albino horse has the distinct characteristics of an animal with albinism, though it is not a true "albino." The biggest distinction is that its pink skin shows through its pure white coat. Moreover, its eyes are always dark in colour (generally blue, brown or black). All Albino horses on record are on of three types: following either the formation of a saddler, Arab, or stock horse. However, they can also have the characteristics of any number of breeds to which their sire or dam belongs. |
| Personality and Temperament | The Albino is not only good to look at; it also has a great disposition. Generally, an Albino horse is intelligent and has great ability to learn. It is obedient and willing. It is so trainable, in fact, that it is often used for horse shows and public performances. |
| Other Considerations | Many famous horses, past and present, were alleged to be "white" by observers, but were actually grays with hair coats turned fully white. Likewise, most white horses used in movies are actually grays, in part because they are easier to find. However, there are a few truly white horses who were used in film. One of the best-known examples was "Silver," ridden by the Lone Ranger, a role actually played by two different white horses. At least one horse who played "Topper," ridden by Hopalong Cassidy, was also white. Another famous white horse is Yukichan, a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Kanto Oaks at Kawasaki Racecourse. Throughout history, white horses have been mythologized in many cultures. For example, Herodotus reported that white horses were held as sacred animals in the Achaemenid court of Xerxes the Great (ruled 486-465 BC), In more than one tradition, a white horse carries patron saints or the world saviour in the end times, including Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. |
