Albino
Introduction: Wrapped in mythology, the white horse has often represented virtue and endurance. Knights and kings of old were always mounted on white horses, and the pure white horse often portrayed the prowess and greatness of military leaders. The Albino is a very recent breed, however; an effort of some people to produce a new type of horse. Personally, I know very little of the Albino. I would appreciate any information about them to add to this site. If you have any comments or suggestions, please click here. Most of this page was written before I began citing the dates of my sources, so I don't know when "today" or "current" may mean. However, I would guess that it was around the 1970's or 80's, since that is when most of my sources have dated from so far.
Names: I am simply calling this breed the Albino. Other names I have heard are the American Albino and the American White.
Origin: The
Albino breed was founded on a stallion named Old King, born in 1908. He
was purchased by Caleb R. and Hudson B. Thompson of West Point, Nebraska in 1917
to start a new breed they hoped to develop. Using Morgan
mares (a few with
mixed bloodlines), and very select, scientific inbreeding methods the brothers
were successful in their dream.
In 1937 the American Albino Horse Club (AAHC)
was incorporated to record the progeny of Old King. The first horse registered
was Old King's grandson, Snow Chief 2nd who set the standard of excellence for
the new breed. Eventually the books were opened to horses of like color,
but not necessarily of Old King breeding. Thus, the American Albino Horse Breed
became a color breed in the full sense of the word. Ruth Thompson
reincorporated the registry under the name The American Albino Association. This
was superseded by the World Wide Horse Registry in the early 70's and a second
division for cremallo and perlino horses to be called American Creme Horse was
added. At this time the horse known formerly an American Albino became the
American White Horse. In 1985 Ruth Thompson returned the registry to the
state in which the breed was developed, Nebraska, and reincorporated as the
International American Albino Assn., Inc. which is the current title of the
registry.
Breeding: Originally bred on White Horse Ranch, foundation home of the breed, the Albino is now bred around the country. It will reproduce 50% white when bred to colored stock. It will sometimes have a colored foal, however, when bred to a white mate. The Whites do not dilute color as do the Cremes with exception being when a White has a Creme ancestor and thus carries a creme gene. High rates of white have been obtained when sire and dam both trace from long lineage of white ancestors. One mare, having been bred to a chestnut stallion, produced six out of seven foals white, far above the expected 50% level. The stallions are said to be very prepotent in siring all-white progeny.
Description: The most important feature of the Albino is, of course, color. Therefore, conformation is according to each individual's bloodlines. However, the description of Old King is as follows: true white, pink skinned and had dark brown eyes; stood 15.2 hands and weighed about 1200 lbs; very stocky, well muscled with a broad chest, deep girth, sloping croup, strong straight legs, heavy crested neck, thick, long and wavy mane and tail, broad between the eyes, well shaped ears. His descendants continue to follow the conformation listed above, with one exception: the height requirements allow for shorter horses. Many are in the 14-14.2 hand range now. One source says that these horses are of Oriental type.
Color: The Albino, regardless
of breeding, must have pink skin and truly white coloring - no slight
pigmentation of hair allowed. A few, small scattered spots are
permissible. Usually found around the eyes, chest, and on genital areas,
but only on skin, not on hair, these spots frequently are not exhibited until
the foal approaches 18 months of age.
The various eye colors common to
horses are acceptable including amber and very pale blue and
parti-colored. Dark eyed is preferred. Horses which can trace their ancestry to Old King are 90%
likely to have dark brown or black eyes.
General: The original foundation bloodline horses were predominantly organ breeding and stood 15.2-16.2 hands, weighing 1,100 - 1,300 lbs. Versatile, they were used for driving, farming, riding, jumping, dressage and circus routines, many times one horse accomplishing most of the above. They have great strength and athletic ability.
Temperament: Many misconceptions continue to be circulated about the Albinos, however they do not have "weaknesses" commonly associated with albino types. They do not go deaf or blind or loco. Most Albinos are kindly, reliable, consistent, and highly intelligent.
Features: The original Albinos were quite versatile, used for driving, farming, riding, jumping, dressage and circus routines, many times one horse accomplishing most of the above. Old King himself was trained for riding, parading, driving, and high school routines. The White Horse Troupe, developed by Cal and Ruth Thompson, toured throughout the United States and southern Canada performing. Some of the features of the famous troupe were: 6 horse tandem Roman ride, 5 horse Roman teams, both teams jumping hurdles with a rider standing on their backs; high and broad jumping including jumps over convertible cars and over human hurdles; high schooled acts (both dressage and trick) and wild rescues of damsels in distress from "runaway" stages. The performers rode their horses bareback and had some specialty acts in which the horse was ridden without bridle or saddle over the hurdles. Jumps averaged 3 feet in height with the high jumps being 5 feet in height.
Uses: Current uses for this versatile horse brood are: riding, driving, English show and pleasure, Western show and pleasure, parade, entertainment industry, endurance competition, jumping, and working stock horse. Because of the varied bloodlines from most major breeds, there is really nothing these horses can't do. There have even been a few albino Thoroughbred race horses in Europe. The IAAA sponsors an annual high points awards program. The American Whites and American Cremes have proven themselves many times over to be great show horses as they bring home top honors in open classes while competing against their darker colored counterparts.
Accomplishments: The Thompsons and their troupe showed with such famous personalities as Gene Autry, Red Ryder, Minnie Pearl, and Tex Cooper. Some of Old King's progeny went on to be movie stars and mounts for important dignitaries. One horse was sold to a prince from India. Another named Constitution was provided for Admiral Haley to ride in the Victory Parade in New York City following the end of World War II. Another portrayed Thunderhead in the movie of the same name. Emperor Hiro Hito's mount Silver Tip, although not a descendant of Old King's (he was a California bred cowpony), was registered in the AAHC.
Curiosities: With good care they have been known to live into their thirties and on occasion into their early forties. Average life span in mid-twenties. On the negative side, it is true that pink-skinned horses are more sun sensitive, although this varies from horse to horse. It is not true that they are "harder to keep clean," but it is a fact that when they are dirty, it is more evident!
Profiles: Old King - foundation stallion of the breed; born in 1908; his foal crops when bred to colored mares was 50 percent white, 50 percent colored; his descendants achieved 75-80% white progeny; contracted swamp fever in 1922 and eventually passed away from its effects in 1924 at age 18. White Wings - great-grandson of Old King; sired 108 foals, all but three being white; the star performer in the Thompson's White Horse Troupe and knew about 50 tricks; so gentle he was exhibited many times by a ten-year-old girl performer.
Conclusion: The Nebraska State Historic Society nominated White Horse Ranch to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1989. On July 5th, 1990 it was accepted as a historic site. Also in 1990 Ruth Thompson was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Hereford, Texas for her work in developing a new breed of horse. I think it was a job well done, and the result is a work of art! I hope that the Albino will continue to enjoy a lot of attention and that the legacy of the pure white horse will continue!