Buzz
Three Appaloosas display the diverse patterns that define this breed. Captured in photos by Deb Alperin/Getty ImagesAppaloosa horses, renowned for their striking spotted coats, have fascinated people for centuries. Originally bred by the Nez Perce tribe in the regions of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to maintain their distinctive traits, the Appaloosa has risen to become one of America's most beloved breeds and proudly serves as Idaho's state horse.
The Appaloosa Horse Club reports over 630,000 registered Appaloosas worldwide. It's astonishing to think this breed nearly vanished a hundred years ago, saved only by the efforts of passionate horse lovers.
What Is the Appaloosa Pattern?
Appaloosas display a wide range of base colors such as bay, black, chestnut, palomino, buckskin, dun, and grulla. Their spotting patterns are equally varied, encompassing everything from light or dark spots to snowflakes (small white flecks on darker coats). These patterns can cover the entire body or form a "blanket" extending from the tail to the base of the neck.
Some Appaloosa foals are born without the breed's signature spots but develop them later in life, necessitating updates to their registration to reflect the new markings. Adding to the complexity, not all spotted horses are Appaloosas, and not all Appaloosas have spots. "This is due to DNA," explains Crystal White, director of the Appaloosa Museum in Moscow, Idaho.
The defining feature of an Appaloosa is the Leopard Complex (LP) gene, a mutation of the TRPM1 gene identified in 2013 by the Appaloosa Project. While all horses possess the TRPM1 gene, only Appaloosas carry the LP mutation, which influences coat pigmentation and enables the expression of white patterns and other unique traits.
Even a solid-colored horse without visible spots can be registered as an Appaloosa if it exhibits mottled skin and at least one other characteristic of the breed.
Two Appaloosa horses stand face to face, exchanging breath in a gesture of trust and bonding.
catnap72/Getty ImagesWhat Are the Appaloosa's Other Distinguishing Features?
White explains that, aside from their spotted coats, three key traits help identify an Appaloosa. While not exclusive to the breed, most Appaloosas exhibit at least two of these characteristics:
- Mottled skin. Unlike plain pink or non-pigmented skin, mottled skin features small, dark, round spots typically found around the muzzle, eyes, anus, and genitalia.
- Striped hooves. Instead of solid white, black, or mixed hooves, Appaloosas often display bold vertical stripes of light and dark on their hooves.
- White sclera. The sclera, the outer layer of the eyeball surrounding the iris, is usually dark in most horse breeds. However, Appaloosas frequently have white sclera, giving them a "humanlike" appearance. This trait is rare in other breeds, making it a distinctive feature of Appaloosas.
The History of the Spotted Horse
"Spotted horses have existed since ancient times," White notes. The Appaloosa's lineage dates to the 18th century when Spanish settlers introduced them to Mexico, California, and Oregon. The Nez Perce acquired these horses around 1730 and, impressed by their beauty and bravery in battle, implemented strict breeding programs to enhance desirable traits. Inferior males were gelded, and unsuitable horses were traded. By the early 1800s, the Nez Perce were renowned among Native Americans and Europeans for their exceptional horses.
In 1877, conflicts between the Nez Perce and the U.S. government escalated as settlers displaced the tribe from their ancestral lands in the Palouse region. By the war's conclusion, the U.S. Army had seized over 1,000 of the tribe's horses, selling some and killing the rest. The surviving Nez Perce were relocated to reservations in north central Idaho, where they were permitted only a few horses. The Army also compelled them to breed their stallions with draft horse mares to produce stronger farm horses.
Some Appaloosas were captured by settlers and used as ranch horses or featured in circuses and shows, such as Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. English speakers began referring to the spotted horses as "Palouse horses," named after the Palouse River that flowed through the Nez Perce's former territory. The name evolved through several variations, including Apalousey, before eventually becoming Appaloosa.
The Appaloosa's origins date back to the 18th century when Spanish settlers introduced them to Mexico, California, and Oregon.
John McAnulty/Getty ImagesIn 1937, France D. Haines, a history professor from Lewiston, Idaho, published an article in Western Horseman magazine advocating for the preservation of the Appaloosa breed. "This sparked awareness among horse enthusiasts, leading to the formal registration of the breed," White explains.
In 1938, a group of dedicated horse breeders established the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) in Moro, Oregon. The club later relocated to Moscow, Idaho, where its headquarters still operates today. The ApHC has grown into one of the world's leading equine breed registries, boasting over 33,000 members.
What Are Appaloosa Horses Best Suited For?
Appaloosas were bred for their strength and stamina, making them versatile for ranch work, shows, stock handling, racing, and long-distance riding. They are also known for their friendly and gentle nature, often forming strong bonds with their owners. "They can become deeply attached to one person," White notes, "or they may enjoy being around everyone."
White has observed that the Appaloosas grazing in the museum's pasture are particularly drawn to children. "When groups visit, the horses often stay at the far end of the field. But if kids are present, they immediately approach the fence," she remarks.
Appaloosas have taken center stage in numerous Westerns, such as Cojo Rojo in Marlon Brando's "The Appaloosa," Zip Cochise in John Wayne's 1966 film "El Dorado," and Cowboy in the 2010 remake of "True Grit" starring Matt Damon. However, the most remarkable role was played by Pay N Go, a bay leopard Appaloosa and Grand Prix dressage horse, who performed at the 1998 New York memorial service for Linda McCartney, the wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney.
