Appaloosa Other names: Palouse Pony or Palousy History:

• It seems these "spotted horses" existed as far back as prehistoric times. Some are even found pictured in cave paintings. • It is certain they existed in ancient Persia, China and likely Egypt (since they appear in Egyptian art).

• Spotted horses were bred in Spain about AD 100 and were considered fine riding mounts. Their ancestry includes Andalusian, Arab, Turk, Barb, and Quarter Horse.

• Spanish Conquistadors brought these horses to Mexico in the 16th century. Some escaped - the rest is history.

• The Nez Perce Indians (north-west American, now Washington, Oregon, Idaho) skilled equine breeders, captured some of the escaped spotted horses and produced an animal that was fast, strong, agile, docile and easy to handle.

• Since they lived by the Palouse River, the breed they developed came to be called A Palouse and subsequently Appaloosa.

• In 1876, the U.S. Army nearly destroyed the Nez Perce tribe (tribal land reclamation). Capturing their horses, they undertook a breeding program that resulted in a spotted horse that was recognized as a distinct breed in 1938 by the Appaloosa Horse Club. The Club currently boasts over 25,000 members.

• Today, the Appaloosa is among the half-dozen most popular North American breeds. Physique * Short coupled (although with recent breeding with the Thoroughbred, it has added height) * Thin mane and tail * Hard feet, often striped * White sclera encircling eye * Solid colored leg (some, not all) * Mottled nose, lip, genital skin Personality: * Courageous * Docile * Stamina * Agile * Intelligent * People oriented disposition * WIllingness to please Colors:

• There are six main Appaloosa patterns (no two horses are alike). There are several pattern variations. Roan is the most common ground color. Any color is accepted if the pattern confoms to one of the following six categories.

• Leopard - all over white background, dark spots

• Snowflake - all over dark background, white spots

• Spotted Blanket - mainly dark body, dark spots on white back and/or hindquarters

• White Blanket - mainly light body, dark back and/or hindquarters

• Marble - dark coat at birth, fades to almost white as horse grows older, except for a few darker markings on legs and face

• Frosted Tip - dark background, light colored or white spots on loins/hips Height: 14.2 - 16 hands high Popular Uses Pleasure, western, show, halter, youth, cow pony,