Where did they
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They've been around since the caveman! Cave drawings in ancient day France, (from as far back as 20,000 years ago) depict spotted horses....there's no doubt they are Appaloosas! But how did they get to the United States and Canada? As is the case with many American horse breeds, Spanish explorers brought them to the continent. It was later that they were 'developed' by the Nez Perce Indians. These industrious natives were extremely selective in their breedings, and even at that early date, were gelding appaloosa stallions who did not exhibit the desired traits. They chose only the highest quality mares to breed....their goal ~ a tough, versatile, speedy and sure footed horse....something suitable for their hunter/gatherer lifestyle. |
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 The unique animal that resulted eventually
withstood a very serious test. The Nez Perce’s very future was at stake during
white settlement, a predicament shared by all Native Americans prior to the turn of the
century. Encroachment and extermination nearly wiped out the Nez Perce, and their
legendary spotted horses. Sadly, the fate of the Nez Perce was inevitable. Montana was the location of the Indians' final stand, and their capture and defeat saw the confiscation of their prized and feared Appaloosa horses. Without the tough standards of the Nez Perce tribe to maintain their originality, these spotted horses became 'watered down' with the inclusion of draft and other breeds. They began to deteriorate in type and abilities. |
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Some say that the farmers who bought the horses at auction were forbidden to breed them together...the army wanted their blood diluted, to end any future threat from the Indians. As the story goes, that is why so many Appaloosa's today have large 'jug' heads and 'bob' tails.....and a heavy, draft like build. It is quite likely, a throwback to the days of their capture. |
| It took an Oregon farmer, Claude Thompson, to recognize the need to save the future of the Nez Perce's spotted horse. In 1938, Thompson started the Appaloosa Horse Club. The efforts and promotion by this club saw the Appaloosa slowly regain it's foothold, and return from the brink of extinction.
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| More than a half million Appaloosas are now registered in the USA with the Appaloosa Horse Club (the APHC), and in Canada (with the Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada ~ APHCC), and even more with regional breed clubs overseas. They remain unique, with spotted hides and mottled skin, striped hooves, a white 'sclera' (ring) around the inside of the eye, and of course, with their tough headed and sure footed nature intact. |  |
As anyone knows who owns an Appaloosa.....tough is the word to describe them! And for those who have adopted them as their own, it's the only breed to have!
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Breeders today are trying to 'bring back' the animal that the Nez Perce created, and that the settlement era almost destroyed. The APHC registry currently recognizes breedings with both Thoroughbred & Quarter Horses. The goal is to bring back the type of the past....and eliminate the characteristics bred in at the turn of the century to the detriment of the breed. The eventual goal....to refine the heads, improving tail length and attitude, as well as overall appearance...the characteristic coat pattern always being sought after in the animals produced through this expansion of the somewhat limited gene pool. |
The Appaloosa of today has
been critized as a 'colored quarter horse', and for that reason, the American club has
begun recognizing horses with 'foundation' breeding. Recognition in the form of FPD
(foundation pedigree) has been put in place, FPD animals being assigned 'percentages' of
foundation blood. The goal is to help ensure that the original traits will not be
lost over time.
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Special thanks to Qu'Appelle Appaloosa Ranch, for use of their photos. Visit their page for more information about these fine animals....and a look at their horses!
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whAT is an appalo0sa?
The name "Appaloosa" was not originally coined by their Indian
breeders. Some believe it came from the Palouse River region, where a large
concentration of horses existed. The Palouse Tribe lived in a main village situated
on this river. Over time, the colorful spotted horse became known as "a
Palouse horse," later being coined as an "Appalousey." The name
"Appaloosa" became official in 1938. 