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The Appaloosa Horse Breed





The Appaloosa's heritage is as colorful and unique as its coat
pattern. Usually noticed and recognized because of its spots
and splashes of color, the abilities and beauty of this breed
are more than skin deep.

Humans have recognized and appreciated spotted horses
throughout history. Ancient cave drawings dating as far back
as 20,000 years ago in what is now France depict spotted
horses, as do later detailed images in Asian and Chinese art.
The Spanish introduced horses to North America as they
explored the Americas.

Eventually, as these horses found their way into the lives of
Indians and were traded with other tribes, their use spread until
most of the Native American populations in the Northwest were
mounted by about 1730. The Nez Perce and Palouse tribes of
Washington, Oregon and Idaho became especially sophisticated
horsemen and their mounts, which included many spotted
individuals, were prized and envied by other tribes. Historians
believe they were the first tribes to breed selectively for
specific traits - such as intelligence, speed and endurance -
keeping the best and trading or gelding those that were less
desirable.

When white settlers came to this Northwest region, it is believed
that they called the spotted horses they saw by the Palouse River
or owned by the Palouse tribe "Palouse horses" or "a Palouse
horse." Over time the name was shortened and slurred to "a
Palousey" and then "Appaloosey." During the Nez Perce War of
1877, Appaloosa horses were among those that helped the
non-treaty Nez Perce elude the U.S. Cavalry for several months.
The Nez Perce fled over 1,300 miles of rugged, punishing terrain
under the guidance of Chief Joseph and other Nez Perce leaders.
When they surrendered in Montana, their surviving horses were
given to soldiers, left behind or dispersed to settlers.

Nothing was done to preserve the Appaloosa until 1938, when a
group of dedicated horsemen formed the Appaloosa Horse Club for
the preservation and improvement of the spotted horse, whose
numbers were diminishing. The name of the horse officially became
Appaloosa. Now an international breed registry, the Appaloosa
Horse Club, along with the Appaloosa Museum, is located in
Moscow, Idaho. More than half a million Appaloosas are on record,
with about 10,000 new horses registered annually and 26,000
members.

Appaloosas are found in nearly every discipline - setting speed
records on the race track, excelling at advanced levels of
dressage, jumping, games, reining, roping, pleasure, and
endurance and as gentle family horses. Their eager-to-please
attitudes and gentle dispositions make them a pleasure to work
with in any area. Many Appaloosas can be identified solely by
their coat patterns. From just a sprinkle of white to an all
spotted "leopard", they come in a variety of colors and
combinations. They also can be identified by other
characteristics such as striped hooves, mottled skin around the
muzzle and eyes, and white sclera which make their eyes look
similar to human eyes.


Characteristics of the Appaloosa Horse

Mottled or Parti-colored skin: This characteristic is unique to
the Appaloosa horse. Therefore, mottled skin is a basic and
decisive indicator of an Appaloosa. mottled skin is different
from commonly found pink (flesh-colored or non-pigmented) skin in
that it normally contains dark areas of pigmented skin within its
area. The result is a specked or blotchy pattern of pigmented and
non-pigmented skin. If a horse has mottled skin, it may be found
in several places.

Mottled skin may also be found on
the sheath, testicles or udder. Many breeds will have specks of
non-pigmented skin this region which should not be confused with
Appaloosa mottled skin.

White Sclera: The sclera is the area of the eye which encircles
the cornea - the colored or pigmented portion. The white of the
human eye is an example. All horses have sclera but the
Appaloosa's is white and usually more readily visible than other
breeds. All horses can show white around the eye if it is rolled
back, up or down or if the eyelid is lifted. Readily visible
white sclera is a distinctive Appaloosa characteristic provided
it is not in combination with large white face marking, such as a
bald face.

Striped Hooves: Many Appaloosas will have bold and clearly
defined vertically light or dark striped hooves. Vertical stripes
may result from an injury to the coronet or a white marking on
the leg. Also, light colored horses tend to have thin stripes in
their hooves. As a result, all striped hooves do not necessarily
distinguish Appaloosas from non-Appaloosas. Look for other
Appaloosa characteristics if any of these situations apply to
your horse. Appaloosas do not always display the above
characteristics. In this case, Appaloosa parentage is verified
through blood testing, making these horses eligible for
participation in approved Appaloosa Horse Club events.

Appaloosas have something to offer everyone, regardless of riding
interest, from trail riding to dressage Appaloosas can do it all!
- Cutting, Reining, Dressage, Team Roping, Western Pleasure,
Driving, Endurance, Saddleseat, Trail, Huntseat, Combined
Training, Jumping, Gaming and Racing


See Also:Appaloosa Horse History



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