Buckskin Horses are not a specific breed, they are horses
that have a common color - tan or bronze coloring with black points. A true
Buckskin should be the color of tanned deer hide with black points. Shades may
vary from yellow to dark gold. Points (mane, tail, and legs) can be dark brown,
or black. Ponies and horses showing predominance of draft horse blood are not
eligible.
Buckskins developed a strong reputation as a sturdy working
horse in the frontier of the western United States. They were highly regarded
by the cowboys of the old west, Buckskins were used for pack, harness, and
saddle.
The American Buckskin Registry Association was founded in
1962, it opened its registry to not only the Buckskin, but also Grulla and Dun
colored horses. Also included in the colors accepted is Red Dun with varying
body shades of red, and the Mouse Dun or Coyote Dun, a slate color resembling a
salt-and-pepper coloration. Most Buckskins are of Spanish origin, European pony
origin, or of America's Norfolk Trotter origin. This is mainly due to the fact
that Dun coloration in these bloodlines was not frowned upon as it was with
horses that contained Arab background. Any horse that is registered with the
ABRA can also be registered in any other breeding association.
It
should be noted that the American Buckskin Registry Association has put forth a
great effort to put emphasis on the conformation of the horses in its registry.
The Buckskin will not enter any horse into its registry that shows signs of
below-average conformation, regardless of the desired coloring.