Appaloosa

The Appaloosa breed was developed by Nez Perce aboriginal tribesmen who lived in the northwest of America. In all likelihood, the breed was named after the Palouse River that ran through the area. Nez Perce people proved to have a knack for horse breeding, and it was them who stood at the cradle of this unique breed. By way of thorough selective breeding, they developed one of the most versatile equines, showing excellence in a wide array of activities, such as rodeo, racing, ranching, and so forth.  The Appaloosa breed is renowned for its spotted coat color patterns, although there are solid-colored Appaloosa horses.

The Appaloosa breed faced severe ordeals in the 1800s, when settlers arrived in the area. When the Nez Perce tribe was defeated, most horses were confiscated and then bred carelessly and indiscriminately, which resulted in a severe damage to the breed’s genetic makeup. The breed lapsed into disuse for several decays, and it was not before the turn of the 20th century that enthusiasts and equine sport lovers expressed concern about the breed’s future. The Appaloosa horse club was established in 1938.

The Appaloosa horse of today can have five color patterns: Leopard – dark spots all over the white body; Snowflake – white spots over a dark body; Frost – small white speckles against a dark background; Marble – a light-color body with small dark spots; Blanket – the hips and the loins are white, the rest of the body being darker. The white is usually covered with dark spots. Appaloosa horses also have vertically striped hooves.

Nowadays, Appaloosa horses are involved in various equine activities. They are famous for their docile temperament and superb intelligence. Appaloosa horses are good at working, and they have muscular bodies, probably due to the infusion of the American Quarter Horse gene. Modern Appaloosa horses are more refined than old-time ones, which is due to the influence of the Thoroughbred and the Arab. Appaloosa horses measure 14.2 hh at the withers. There is just one distinctive feature that singles them out from other horse breeds – the white sclera around the iris.

Although Appaloosa horses are usually distinguished by their spotted coats, there is more to the breed than just a coat color. This equine is highly valued for its enviable endurance, superb intelligence and willingness to learn tricks. The Appaloosa horse has become one of the most popular equine breeds in America, as on March 25, 1975, the Idaho government adopted the breed as an official state horse.