Appaloosa Horses

Appaloosa Horses - History

Source: Hidden Waters Appaloosas

To North America Appaloosa Horses were introduced by the Spanish explorers. Their Andalusians often had spotted coats. Indians stole and traded them, and the spotted horses quickly spread northward. The Nez Perce Indian tribe of Oregon became sophisticated horsemen and selected the spotted breed. These horses were of an elegant race, lofty and durable. The spots helped to camouflage the horse and the rider, for the splashy patterns helped to break up the horses' outline and made it difficult to see from the distance. Appaloosas with flashy or unusual markings are valued the best.

Indians used the Appaloosa Horse in buffalo hunting and in war. The horses had to possess strength, speed, courage and intelligence. The white settlers called the horses "a Palouse horse" after Palose country where Indians lived. Finally it became "Appalosa." During the war Appaloosa Horses were the reason the U.S. Calvary was deprived of victory for many months, because the Nez Perce fled over 1300 miles of rugged, almost impassible terrain. Afterwards nothing was done about these strong, intelligent Appaloosa Horses, and they were almost diminished to nothing.