Diversity

About Appaloosa HorsesAbout Appaloosa Horses





Appaloosa horses are known for their colorful leopard-spotted coat pattern. They have a wide range of body types, stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting patterns overlaid on top of one of several recognized base coat colors.  

The Nez Perce people of modern day Oregon and Washington, US, developed the Appaloosa breed. Appaloosas were once referred to by settlers as the "Palouse horse", possibly after the Palouse River, which ran through the heart of Nez Perce country. Gradually, the name evolved into "Appaloosa".  

The Nez Perce lost most of their horses after the Nez Perce War in 1877, and the breed fell into decline for several decades. A small number of dedicated breeders preserved the Appaloosa as a distinct breed until the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was formed as the breed registry in 1938. The modern breed maintains bloodlines tracing to the foundation bloodstock of the registry; its partially open stud book allows the addition of some thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse and Arabian blood.

Appaloosa Horses Associations

The Appaloosa Horse Club - www.appaloosa.com


The United States Hunter Jumper Association The United States Hunter Jumper Association - www.ushja.org