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The Appaloosa Horse prehistoric to present
Prehistoric cave paintings of spotted horses have been found as far back as 206 BC in China , Egypt and Persia.
Spotted horses bred in Spain in the 16th century where taken to America and used to trade with the Nez Perce Indians of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Before the introduction of these spotted horses the Nez Perce were predominantly fishermen. Now they became skilled horsemen. Breeding from only the very best stock, the spotted horses became excellent War Horses and Buffalo runners. The Nez Perce were the only tribe to selectively breed from there best horses ensuring the spotted coat markings were kept as they provided excellent camouflage and a sparse mane and tail meant they would not get caught in the bush.
In 1806 Meriwether Lewis one of the first white men to visit the Nez Perce Indians described them in his journal as a breed of lofty, elegantly formed and durable horses.
In 1877 the Nez Perce war broke out and the spotted horses were eventually confiscated by the US army and sold to settlers . The selective breeding that had gone on was now diluted. These spotted horses had been known as “A Palouse” horses as the Nez Perce had lived along the Palouse river, later that became Appalousey and then Appaloosa.
In 1938 Claude Thompson a farmer founded the Appaloosa horse club to preserve the breed.
Breed Characteristics
The appaloosa comes in a few different colours :
Leopard spot – White base coat with spots all over entire body.
Blanket spot – solid colour body with white hind quarters these are usually spotted.
Marble – roan coat with darker head and legs
Snowflake – coloured with white spots
Frosted – Coloured with white spots on loins and hips
Near leopard spot – white base coat with spots on legs
Few spot – these are born with coloured legs and head but fade to white with a few spots.
Although there are different colours they will all have the breed characteristics of a sparse mane and tail, stripy hooves, white sclera, mottled mucous membranes a broad head, compact body, sloping shoulders and strong legs. Making Appaloosas a very versatile horse, excelling in endurance, jumping and many other disciplines.
