Appaloosa Horse: More Than Just the Spotted Coat

 

When we hear the term Appaloosa Horse, the first thing that comes to our mind is a breed of horse that has a beautiful spotted coat.  This is an identifiable characteristic of such breed.  However, these horses have more beauty in it than just its coat.

 

Origin

It is said that the roots of the Appaloosa Horse is much attributed to the Nez Perce Native American Tribe.  According to accounts, in the year 1995, the said tribe wanted to create a distinguishable breed of horse called the Nez Perce breed.  The result of which is a stripped-hooved horse now called the Appaloosa Horse.  Today, the number of Appaloosas registered in the United States with the ApHC (Appaloosa Horse Club) is estimated to be more than 650,000.

 

Facial Features

The peculiar dappled skin of the Appaloosa Horse is most visible around the muzzle and the eye area.  Its eyes are not restricted to the typical brown color but can also be in the more unique hazel and blue shades.  Some Appaloosa Horses can even have two different eye colors at the same time.  The horse’s sclera, the whitish fibrous membrane that protects the eyeball, is also quite noticeably profound.

 

Hair

The mane and tail of this breed is moderately thick and long. Its main color of the coat can vary from either black , brown, chestnut (dark golden-brown), dun (dull brownish gray), palomino (light tan or golden) or white.  The colour of the distinctive patches is usually in contrast to the rest of the coat.  One horse can be mainly chestnut but have a large patch which can further be speckled with more chestnut spots.  This is primarily the reason why this breed is well-loved by people.

 

Breeding

Among enthusiasts and breeders, crossbreeds of this kind are becoming quite of good taste.  This is why Arabian Horses are ordinarily bred with Appaloosa Horses because the physical appearance turns out to be remarkable.   Therefore, the bloodline of the horse becomes a major factor.

 

In the end, an Appaloosa Horse, be it purebred or crossbred, is a very good option for you if you are looking for a companion, a show horse, a ranch worker, a sport horse, a stocking horse, a forest trailer, or even a race horse.  It’s no wonder a lot of breeders around the nation sell horses of this breed.