What is an Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is one of the oldest known identified breeds in the world, pride of ancient monarch's of Europe and Asia, favored war and hunting mounts of the Nez Perce, offers something for everyone. The appaloosa is growing popularity world wide today for the same reasons they were prized in the past, conformation, disposition , intelligence, versatility and the rare quality of varied colorful coats pattern that only the Appaloosas can offer. This horse, born in history and saved from the brink of extinction by a small group of dedicated people of 50 years ago, represents a growing success story. The Appaloosa's heritage is as colorful and unique as its coat pattern. Usually noticed and recognized because of its spots and splashes of color, the abilities and beauty of this breed are more than skin deep Although Appaloosas are most commonly recognized by their colorful coat patterns, they also have other distinctive characteristics. The four identifiable characteristics are: coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera, and striped hooves
	Coat Patterns A remarkable aspect of the Appaloosa is the myriad of color and pattern combinations they can exhibit. The following are seven common examples used to describe Appaloosa patterns. Appaloosa patterns are highly variable and there are many which may not fit into specific categories easily. Blanket - refers to a horse which has a solid white area normally over, but not limited to, the hip area with a contrasting base color Spots - refers to a horse which has white or dark spots over all or a portion of its body. Blanket With Spots - refers to a horse with a white blanket which has dark spots within the white. The spots are usually the same color as the horse's base color. Roan - An Appaloosa roan pattern develops a lighter colored area on the forehead, jowls and frontal bones of the face, over the back, loin and hips. Darker areas may appear along the frontal bones of the face as well and also on the legs, stifle, above the eye, point of the hip and behind the elbow. Roan Blanket - refers to a horse having the roan pattern consisting of a mixture of light and dark hairs, over a portion of the body. The blanket normally occurs over, but is not limited to, the hip area. Roan Blanket With Spots - refers to a horse with a roan blanket which has white and/or dark spots within the roan area Leopard - refers to a white horse with any color spots over their entire body, this is the most striking of the color patterns.
White Sclera The sclera is the area of the eye which encircles the iris - the colored or pigmented portion. The white of the human eye is an example. All horses have sclera but the Appaloosa's is white and usually more readily visible than other breeds	Striped Hooves Many Appaloosas will have bold and clearly defined vertically light or dark striped hooves	Mottled or Parti-Colored Skin This characteristic is unique to the Appaloosa horse. Therefore, mottled skin is a basic and decisive indicator of an Appaloosa. Mottled skin is different from commonly found the result is a speckled or blotchy pattern of pigmented and non-pigmented skin.
More information about Appaloosas can be found at the Appaloosa Horse Club