The rich and fascinating history of the Appaloosa breed in
north america is as unique as its colorful spotted coat patterns.
The Spanish introduced horses to Mexico in the 1500s. Following the Pueblo Revolt, horses rapidly spread throughout North America, reaching the Northwest around 1700. The Nez Perce tribe became excellent horsemen and breeders, creating large herds renowned for their strength, intelligence and beauty. Prior to the introduction of the horse, the Nez Perce were sedentary fishers. Horses gave the tribes greater mobility and power, altering their culture forever. Soon, the Nez Perce were famous throughout the Northwest for their hunting skills and craftsmanship. These skills allowed the Nez Perce to trade for necessary goods and services.
With their superior horses they had little difficulty killing what buffalo they needed. Soon they began to use the Plains-type tipi in place of their old community houses. Heavy stone mortars and similar burdensome possessions were either
discarded entirely, or left at the fishing spots for occasional use.
Famous explorer Meriwether Lewis was appropriately impressed with the breeding accomplishments of the Nez Perce, as noted in his diary entry from February 15, 1806. "Their horses appear to be of an excellent race; they are lofty, elegantly [sic] formed, active and durable . . .some of these horses are pided with large spots of white irregularly scattered and intermixed with black, brown, bey [sic] or some other dark color."
It is unknown how many of the Nez Perce’s horses were spotted, but a possible estimate is ten percent. Settlers coming into the area began to refer to these spotted horses as “A Palouse Horse”, as a reference to the Palouse River,
which runs through Northern Idaho.
In the mid-1800s, settlers flooded onto the Nez Perce reservation, and conflicts soon ensued. The Nez Perce War of 1877 resulted in their herds being dispersed. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, interest in the breed gradually began to grow as Appaloosas began appearing in Western roundups and rodeos.
With their superior horses they had little difficulty killing what buffalo they needed. Soon they began to use the Plains-type tipi in place of their old community houses. Heavy stone mortars and similar burdensome possessions were either
discarded entirely, or left at the fishing spots for occasional use.
Famous explorer Meriwether Lewis was appropriately impressed with the breeding accomplishments of the Nez Perce, as noted in his diary entry from February 15, 1806. "Their horses appear to be of an excellent race; they are lofty, elegantly [sic] formed, active and durable . . .some of these horses are pided with large spots of white irregularly scattered and intermixed with black, brown, bey [sic] or some other dark color."
It is unknown how many of the Nez Perce’s horses were spotted, but a possible estimate is ten percent. Settlers coming into the area began to refer to these spotted horses as “A Palouse Horse”, as a reference to the Palouse River,
which runs through Northern Idaho.
In the mid-1800s, settlers flooded onto the Nez Perce reservation, and conflicts soon ensued. The Nez Perce War of 1877 resulted in their herds being dispersed. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, interest in the breed gradually began to grow as Appaloosas began appearing in Western roundups and rodeos.
the appaloosa today
1937 an article in Western Horseman entitled “The Appaloosa, or Palouse Horse” revealed a widespread interest
in the breed. With the goal of preserving and improving the Appaloosa breed,
the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was chartered in 1938.
From those first few enthusiasts, the club has grown into one of the largest equine breed registries in the world.
Today, the beautiful spotted horse is one of the most beloved of American
horse breeds and can be found throughout the world, excelling in disciplines including western pleasure,
gaming, working cow horse, and dressage. Appaloosas are prized for their easy-going dispositions
and their reliability as family horses.
The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was incorporated in December 1938, with five charter members. Claude Thompson of Moro, Oregon was the leader and the first president. In September 1947, the Club headquarters were moved to Moscow, ID and George Hatley became the Executive Secretary.
in the breed. With the goal of preserving and improving the Appaloosa breed,
the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was chartered in 1938.
From those first few enthusiasts, the club has grown into one of the largest equine breed registries in the world.
Today, the beautiful spotted horse is one of the most beloved of American
horse breeds and can be found throughout the world, excelling in disciplines including western pleasure,
gaming, working cow horse, and dressage. Appaloosas are prized for their easy-going dispositions
and their reliability as family horses.
The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) was incorporated in December 1938, with five charter members. Claude Thompson of Moro, Oregon was the leader and the first president. In September 1947, the Club headquarters were moved to Moscow, ID and George Hatley became the Executive Secretary.
ApHC iNTERESTING FACTS
• The Appaloosa Horse Club is one of the top international equine breed registries.
• The State of Idaho adopted the Appaloosa as the state horse in 1975.
• The Appaloosa Horse Club headquarters is located in Moscow, Idaho in the heart of the
Palouse region of the Northwest.
• The word “Appaloosa” comes from the phrase “A Palouse Horse” referring to the origin
of the breed in the Palouse.
• In addition to their unique coat patterns, Appaloosa horses also often have mottled or parti-colored skin,
white sclera around their eyes, and striped hooves.
• Some Appaloosas do not display characteristics typical of the breed, including the unique and colorful coat patterns. Solid colored horses are blood typed to verify Appaloosa parentage if they are raced, shown, or bred.
• Over 700,000 Appaloosas have been registered since the ApHC’s founding in 1938.
• The ApHC has members over the globe and 22 international affiliates.
• True to their reputation as an extremely versatile breed, Appaloosas can be found in nearly every discipline – setting speed records on the racetrack, working cattle, performing dressage, jumping, performing western pleasure, endurance riding or serving as reliable family horses.
• Appaloosa enthusiasts can become involved at a local level by joining one of the 118 Regional Clubs; with
most clubs offering local shows, pleasure rides and year-end awards.
For more national registry information, please contact:
• The State of Idaho adopted the Appaloosa as the state horse in 1975.
• The Appaloosa Horse Club headquarters is located in Moscow, Idaho in the heart of the
Palouse region of the Northwest.
• The word “Appaloosa” comes from the phrase “A Palouse Horse” referring to the origin
of the breed in the Palouse.
• In addition to their unique coat patterns, Appaloosa horses also often have mottled or parti-colored skin,
white sclera around their eyes, and striped hooves.
• Some Appaloosas do not display characteristics typical of the breed, including the unique and colorful coat patterns. Solid colored horses are blood typed to verify Appaloosa parentage if they are raced, shown, or bred.
• Over 700,000 Appaloosas have been registered since the ApHC’s founding in 1938.
• The ApHC has members over the globe and 22 international affiliates.
• True to their reputation as an extremely versatile breed, Appaloosas can be found in nearly every discipline – setting speed records on the racetrack, working cattle, performing dressage, jumping, performing western pleasure, endurance riding or serving as reliable family horses.
• Appaloosa enthusiasts can become involved at a local level by joining one of the 118 Regional Clubs; with
most clubs offering local shows, pleasure rides and year-end awards.
For more national registry information, please contact:
http://www.appaloosa.com/
To join our club, please find membership form in 'CONTACT.'