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Introduction.

Appaloosas and the Native Americans are part of the true image of western history. Native Americans were considered expert horsemen but only one tribe had the finest horses, The Nez Pearce.

It has been said that the Nez Pearce Indians were only defeated in battle with the U.S. Calvary because the Calvary killed many of the tribes’ horses. This Indian Tribe is credited with creating the Appaloosa Breed.

History.

Centuries ago the color pattern of appaloosa horses appeared on the walls of caves in France, in Chinese art and more recently in Persian art. Spanish ships brought horses to the new world, starting with Columbus’s second voyage in 1493.

It is not known with any degree of certainty how the Indians came to possess horses but by 1780 most tribes had them. The Nez Pearce tribe was the only Native American tribe known to selectively breed Spotted Horses. They bred for strength and sure-footedness.

The tribe was located in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho along the Palouse River. Spotted horses in this area were called Palouse horses. Slurred it became Apalause and then Apalausie. Eventually this became appaloosa and the name stuck. To the Nez Pearce, they were most likely called spotted horses.

Since these horses were bred to many different breeds and types, their exact origin (unlike Arabians) is unknown.

In 1938, a Moro Oregon wheat farmer, Claude Thompson, established the importance and predominance of this breed when he formed the Appaloosa Horse Club. After the U,S. Cavalry killed most of the appaloosas in 1877, the breed nearly became extinct. Claude Thompson saved the appaloosas from extinction.

Foundation.

Unlike the Arabian breed there is little or no documentation or history of this breed. The appaloosa, not unlike other American breeds, most likely was a mix of breeds originating with Spanish horses that were spotted.

Type.

The Appaloosa Horse Breed is considered to be one of the so-called stock- type horses. They are close coupled, balanced, muscular and built close to the ground. Substantial hindquarter and forearm muscles are required to produce the speed, power and athleticism necessary to the breed.

They are used for roping, cattle, pleasure, trail riding and any event requiring speed and athletic ability. Other breeds of this type include Quarter Horses and Paints.
Colors.

Appaloosas are recognized by three-color characteristics that distinguish their breed. Their eyes are like human eyes: encircled with white i.e. white sclera. The skin is matted with irregular spots of black and white. Hooves are striped black and white vertically.

Color coat patterns come in a variety of colors. Black and white with black spots over the loin and hip area, black and white over loin and hip area, blue or red roan, white with black spots over all of the body,the reverse-black with white spots, and black with white spots over the hip area. The APHC accepts solid colored appies in its registry.