An Appaloosa is a safe child's mount one day and a focused competitor the next. You'll see these talented horses excel in every field, from trekking to Grand Prix dressage, western riding to three-day eventing. It's not unusual to see the same horse complete a cross-country course, compete in a western pleasure class, and demonstrate complete control of a cow in a working cowhorse event - all in one weekend.

 

The Appaloosa is capable of excellence in any equestrian discipline. Appaloosa riders credit this to the breed's natural willingness to please and trainable minds. Appaloosas are physically tough, strong, and agile, but most importantly, they enjoy being around and working with people.

There can be no doubting the quality of the New Zealand Appaloosa. Our representatives have helped New Zealand riders rise to world-class and Olympic standard in dressage and eventing. Sometimes thought of as 'only' a western horse, the Appaloosa has proved time and again that nothing could be further from the truth!

The infinitely talented Broadcast News, a Te Awamutu-bred solid-coloured Appaloosa by the stallion Time'll Tell, took the F.E.I.'s Eventing Horse of the World title in 1998, proving his dominance beyond question. In 2003, I'm Sunday's Silhouette was pre-selected for the NZ Athens Olympics team in dressage.

Appaloosas come in all shapes, sizes, and colours. What's more, they may change as they age, developing more white and producing coat patterns you wouldn't have dreamed of. Some have no white at all, while others are almost completely white. Some have a sprinkling of white throughout their coats, and others have white blankets over their rumps - with or without spots.

 

One thing's for sure, you won't find it hard to tell any two apart. Make no mistake though; the Appaloosa is a breed, not a colour or coat pattern. Its characteristics go far beyond its colourful appearance, although Appaloosa colour makes them most easily recognisable. It's perfectly possible to breed two highly coloured Appaloosas together and produce a foal without a speck of white - and for that plain-coloured foal to later produce a coloured foal of its own. The pursuit of both quality and colour keeps Appaloosa breeders worldwide interested - you never know what surprise each foal will bring.

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The New Zealand breed registry maintains strict standards to preserve unique Appaloosa colour genetics. Some crosses are not permitted - for example, the grey gene is dominant, so crossing with grey horses will cause Appaloosa colour to fade as the horse ages. Similarly, Pinto and Paint patterns indicate different colour-producing genes that can disrupt Appaloosa characteristics. 

You'll notice many Appaloosas have white surrounding their eyes, giving them a very human appearance. This doesn't mean they're wild - it's a natural and unique characteristic not seen in any other breed. You can usually also see vertical stripes on their hooves and mottled skin on exposed areas. Some Appaloosas have very sparse tails, most common in black or bay base colours. This characteristic was prized in the breed's early history as it allowed the animals to be ridden through dense undergrowth without snagging their tails.

The modern Appaloosa ranges from 14hh upwards, with 16.2hh not unusual. There's no upper height limit, but Appaloosas under 14hh are considered ponies and do not qualify for registration as Appaloosa horses.

 

Because the Appaloosa is a dominant breed, it's often crossed with other breeds to produce taller, more muscular, or finer animals that retain the wonderful temperament and colour the breed is known for. In New Zealand, crossing with Thoroughbreds to produce outstanding (and calm!) dressage and jumping types is common, as is crossing with Quarter Horses to produce horses better suited to western riding. 

More information on the distinctive Appaloosa characteristics can be found here.

The Appaloosa's heritage is as colourful and unique as its coat pattern. Humans have recognized and appreciated the spotted horse throughout history. Ancient cave drawings dating back 20,000 years in what is now France depict spotted horses, as do detailed images in Asian and 17th century Chinese art.

The Spanish introduced horses to North America as they explored the American continents. Eventually, as these horses found their way into the lives of Native Americans and were traded between tribes, their use spread until most Native American populations in the Northwest were mounted by around 1710.

The Nez Perce of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho became especially sophisticated horsemen, and their mounts - which included many spotted individuals - were prized and envied by other tribes. Historians believe they were the first tribe to breed selectively for specific traits such as intelligence and speed, keeping the best animals and trading away those less desirable.
 

When white settlers came to the Northwest Palouse region, they called the spotted horses "Palouse horses" or "a Palouse horse". Over time, the name was shortened and slurred to "Appalousey" and finally "Appaloosa".
 

During the Nez Perce War of the late 1800s, Appaloosa horses helped the Nez Perce avoid battles and elude the US Cavalry for several months. The tribe fled over 1,300 miles of rugged, punishing terrain under the guidance of Chief Joseph. When they were defeated in Montana, their surviving horses were surrendered to soldiers, left behind, or dispersed to settlers. This had a devastating effect on the breed, which was dying out until 1938 when the Appaloosa Horse Club was formed in the USA for the preservation and improvement of the diminishing spotted horse. Since that time, the breed has not only recovered but has become one of the world's most popular and widely used.