Apaloosa Ponies

Appaloosas are a breed of horse and not just a color pattern.
There is so much more to an Appaloosa than just it's colors because they have some fine and good quality characteristics.

The Appaloosas were first bred by Nez Perce Indians, Inland from the northwest of America after they were introduced by the Spanish.
The Nez Perce Indians practiced selective breeding hundreds of years ago.
They would geld any appaloosa stallions that they thought were inferior to the others and would only breed their stallions with their very best mares.
They produced a great combination of traits they needed for everyday uses. They had war horses, hunting horses, endurance horses and fast horses all in one beautiful all rounding horse. Amazing right?
Today they are popular, and I am glad people took a liking to them and realized their importance. They then created The ApHC in order to preserve the unique breed.

Colors of an Appaloosa:
Appaloosa base coats come in every color from black to palomino.

• Solid - Some Appaloosas are solid in color and do not have any color coat pattern.
• Leopard - Big dark spots cover a whole body over a white coat color.
• Marble - Small dark spots like freckles over a light coat color.
• Snowflake - Light spots over a dark body.
• Blanket- White markings on hips and/or loins of horse with darker spots over the white sometimes occurring.
• Frost- Small light freckles over a dark body.

According to the American Appaloosa Association, their height is usually between 14 to 16 hands high. They have an average weight of 500 Kilograms, which will vary depending on their height and build.
They have amazing endurance and character which makes them a versatile breed. They can be called stubborn or cheeky by people who don't know them, but it is because they are intelligent enough to have an opinion.
Being a light breed of horse, Appaloosas can be used for children's riding, in the circus, showing, rodeo, show jumping, pony horses at the track and even trial riding. The list is endless what an appaloosa can do!

This versatile breed has common physical characteristics: mottled skin, white sclera, striped hooves, strong sturdy legs, strong hooves and generally very sure footed.
Appaloosas can change color as they begin to age, usually they are born a solid color. Markings on the head and legs will stay the same and usually help to identify an appaloosa horse.

Appaloosas have a higher risk than any other breed of horses to develop a health issue called Equine Recurrent Uveitis where there is only a small amount of pigmentation around the eyelids and not a lot of hair in the mane and tail for protection from the sun.

Another health issue linked to Appaloosas is if they that are homozygous for the leopard complex gene, they are at risk for congenital stationary Night Blindness.

Appaloosa horses are undoubtably something special.
They should be treated with respect like all other animals.
Just because they look different, it does not make them any less of a horse.
Tell me you don't think these horses are special?
At the moment there are over 600,000 Appaloosa horses registered with the ApHC. Thats a lot of spots!

They are extremely dependable and love to be loved!

 

http://www.happy-horse-riding.com/appaloosa-horse.html