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365 Days in Horse Country - The Appaloosa


Blog by Michael Stuart Webb | May 1st, 2013


365 Days in Horse Country – The Appaloosa (Idaho State Horse)
 

The Appaloosa first originated as an American breed in Idaho.  Spotted horses were among the mounts of the Nez Perce tribe of the Pacific Northwest when Lewis and Clark made their famous journey to the Oregon coast.  In the 1940s, a group of American horsemen who appreciated the rugged nature and beautiful coat patterns of this breed formed the Appaloosa Horse Club.  This organization still registers the breed today, and there are equivalent organizations in countries worldwide. 

Appaloosas are known for their gentle dispositions, their hardy constitutions, and their colourful coats.  The breed comes in patters that include leopard, blanket with spots, frosted hips, and snowflake.  The colour genetics of this breed are fascinating, and are regularly studied by researchers, who are striving to isolate the different coat pattern genes.

Appaloosas are used for just about every discipline, including trail, Western showing, cow work, hunter and jumper, and cross-country.
 

Michael