Breeders: Appaloosas Horse Resources

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The Appaloosa horse was developed by the Nez Perce Indians in the mid-1700's. The Nez Perce lived in a region encompassing the northeastern corner of Oregon, the southeastern corner of Washington and adjecent lands in Idaho. The name Appaloosa is derived from "Palouse", one of the rivers flowing through this region.

Spotted horses were first introduced to the Americas by Spaniards in the 1600's and these horses became the foundation stock of the Nez Perce tribe. The Nez Perce employed strict breeding practices, including the gelding of male horses that did not meet their standards and trading off unsuitable female horses. The Nez Perce not only bred for color, they also bred for strength and stamina, since they needed horses that were suitable for warfare and as practical workhorses.

The Appaloosa breed almost disappeared completely in 1876 when tribal lands were seized by the US Government and Indians were being moved onto reservations. Under the leadership of Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce did not surrender peacefully and ended up conducting a fighting retreat through the mountains. Their ultimate goal was to seek sanctuary in Canada, but after a march of about 1,300 miles they were forced to surrender in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana, just short of the border. Their belongings were confiscated and their horses were slaughtered.

The survival of the breed depended on a few remaining horses and in 1938 the Appaloosa Horse Club was formed to preserve the breed, based on the descendants of those survivors. The registry quickly grew and within 50 years, it was the third largest horse registry in the world, with over 400,000 registered horses.

The typical characteristics of the Appaloosa horse breed are: white sclera in the eyes (resembling the human eyes), partly colored skin on or around the muzzle, and vertically striped hooves on legs that have no white markings. The lack of these characteristics is unacceptable to the true breeders. Also Appaloosa Horses are famous for consistency in disposition and many conformation traits, such as sparse mane and tail, hooves that rarely require trimming, capacity to sustain great fatigue, longevity, and superior strength.

Today's Appaloosa stands between 14.2 and 15.2 hands high and is compact, with strong legs.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Appaloosa is the coat color and their are five main coat patterns that are recognized in the Appaloosa.

• Leopard - white over all or part of the body, with dark spots in the white area
• Blanket - spotted patch located over the hips
• Snowflake - white spotting can occur all over the body, but concentrated over the hips
• Marbleized - mottled pattern covers the entire body
• Frost - white specks on a dark background

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DMB FARMS - DMB FARMS Registered Appaloosas. Welcome to our farm! Come on in, have a cup & visit with us

September Acres - September Acres Appaloosas. We breed and sell top quality appaloosa horses. Home of Digger One, ApHCC registered F3 Appaloosa stallion at stud. All our horses are handled at birth and daily there after. Browse our pages for horses and appaloosa horses for sale. Quality homes only. Visit enjoy.

White Wolf Appaloosas - Breeding Foundation Appaloosas, Horses Standing At Stud. Horses For Sale.

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