Color doesn’t matter. A good mind does.
If you ever went horse shopping back when websites like HorseClicks and EquineNow were a popular go-to, then you’ll remember selecting from a drop-down list the color you wanted your horse to be. I remember being younger and dreaming of owning a flashy, blue eyed American Paint Horse. Something loud that drew eyes everywhere it went. I think we all start out like this, putting the color of the horse first on our list of priorities. If it checks that box, then we’ll proceed to investigate further. There is a point in time when we simply don’t know better, we lack the education to realize that there are way greater things we should be looking for in a horse outside of color. And while I realized this as soon as I turned 18 and began thinking of the horse industry from a career standpoint, it’s unfair to assume every horseman or horsewoman has also had a change of heart.
Luzido, a 4yo Lusitano colt I started. One of my favorite horses I’ve ever had the joy of training.
If you’ve browsed some of my other articles, you’ll know who Macchi is, the horse that impacted my life in ways I find difficult to put words to. A stunning grulla color with silver dapples and tiger striped legs. You might be thinking it’s easy for me to talk about color not mattering when I’ve owned a flashy horse before. Let me share a bit of how we came about buying her.
Before I left for Texas, I needed two horses to bring with me. My aunt knew of this Quarter Horse breeder in Michigan, and we inquired about a horse of his we found online. Come to find out that horse had been sold, but he convinced us to make the drive anyways, trailer intact. So me, my mom, and my aunt made the trip north.
Upon arriving we got a tour of the facility and looked at young horses all day. It dwindled down to two prospects, a grulla and appendix bred bay filly. While the grulla was definitely the flashier of two, I was equally as fond of the bay horse. She was well put together and a nice mover, and seemed very kind and sweet. The grulla was a bit more particular, more mare like. I was so torn that I had to spend the night thinking about it before making a decision. I remember having a gut feeling about the grulla mare, even though she seemed a bit more stand-off-ish than the bay. But she also had great conformation, good feet, and breeding. I knew she’d make into a really nice horse. And because I was already taking a thoroughbred with me to Texas, I didn’t want more thoroughbred blood, even though I loved everything about the bay. So I went with the grulla. I remember leaving excited, but also with the hopes that the bay filly would too find a great home.
Point being, I nearly chose the bay over Macchi. Looking back, I am SO grateful for the decision made, as Macchi turned out to be more than I ever could’ve dreamt of or imagined. She just happened to be fancy, too. But that didn’t factor into the purchase.
While Macchi received compliments everywhere she went, it was her heart and her mind that made her so special to me.
The beauty of training a multitude of horses varying in breeds is I’ve been on every color of horse that’s out there. Which has taught me that color truly doesn’t mean anything. You can have the prettiest horse with the worst mind, and it’s an absolutely miserable experience. A good mind outdoes a good color every single time. Good minded horses are willing and eager to go to work every day. They want to learn, and don’t get pissy when they don’t understand what it is you’re asking them. They tend to be more forgiving, more kind, more trainable. While you can teach all horses, those with a sour attitude about it will only give you the effort they want to give. Which is therefore a limiting factor, whereas a good mind will put its A+ effort in every time.
Another great example are the two colts that came from Utah for me to start and prep before pursuing their dressage careers. One was a Andalusian/Quarter Horse cross, sporting a beautiful dun coat and long dense black mane. He was still intact as a 3yo, so he had already developed that nice thick crest and head that we typically see in studs. The other was a sorrel Lusitano, who showcased the roman featured face that we typically see in the Baroque breeds. I was initially not fond of the look, as the Lusitano and Andalusian horses were breeds I hadn’t had much exposure to. There was no denying the dun colt, whom I named Cobra, was stunning to look at. But as I got to know these horses, Luzido quickly won me over. His personality and trainability made me fall for him almost immediately. Before I knew it, I thought he was one of the most beautiful horses in the barn. Ever since him, actually, I’ve had a soft spot for big red horses. And I even grew to love the roman feature that the Baroque breeds carry.
Because of Luzido’s good-minded nature, he became a barn favorite. And to this day, even though I no longer own him, I cherish the memories made starting him and being a part of his young life under saddle.
I’m not saying you can’t buy a flashy horse. These days, there are breeders producing high-quality stock that also sport great color. The point I am trying to make is this: don’t let color cloud your judgment. A horse is so much more than that. If you prioritize a good mind over a good color, you’ll set yourself up for success. And before you know it, you’ll think that bay or chestnut horse is the most stunning animal in the world.