Image courtesy of Scott Robinson

First off, I’d like to say a GREAT BIG  “THANKS!!!” to Mugwump Chronicles for reprinting my post on the history of the Appaloosa horse.  Welcome to all of Mugwump’s readers and thanks for all the comments that were posted regarding my article.  I had no idea that there were so many Appaloosa lovers on this scene – it’s nice to see my favorite breed well represented.  Please check out Mugwump Chronicles, if you haven’t already.  It’s a great source of training tips and information. 

One of the comments that was left on Mugwump’s site regarding my post was very intriguing.  Justaplainsam included a link to a site about a registered Quarter Horse stallion that has an Appaloosa blanket!  What?!?!?  It’s true – Reminic in Spots is a fully registered Quarter Horse stallion that has been parentage verified.  There is no question that this handsome fellow is all AQHA.  This discovery shocked and fascinated me.  I’d never heard of this happening before, so I started looking into it to see what might cause such an anomaly.  The information I found surprised me.

Reminic In Spots, Courtesy of YOR Appaloosa

When I started researching this topic I quickly came across the term “cropout.”  This term refers to a horse born to solid parents in a breed that typically does not exhibit excessive white or coat patterns, such as the Quarter Horse.  The cropout horse may have Appaloosa type coloring or Paint type coloring.  It is caused when one or both parents -although potentially solid colored – contributes a gene for color.  For those of us (like me!) that need a refresher on our genetics knowledge, an Appaloosa coat pattern will be expressed in offspring if the offspring has at least one dominant color gene from at least one parent.  Make sense?  In the case of Reminic, at least one of his parents must have had a color gene which was passed on to him.  Ba-da-bing – out pops a colored QH colt!  Surprise!  However shocking this may be, the information I discovered next was even more so.  Back in the day of the newly formed American Quarter Horse Association, these spotted foals occurred but could not be registered and were commonly sold as grade horses.  The Appaloosa Horse Club and American Paint Horse Association, which were also newly forming, began to allow these “undesireable” Quarter Horses to register with the breed association that they most closely represented.  As a result, some of the most highly influential Appaloosa sires in the history of the breed are actually spotted Quarter Horses born of two QH parents.  The list includes Colida, Joker B., Bright Eyes Brother, and Wapiti.  While these horses’ colorations were a surprise, and often a disappointment to their breeders, it is no mystery how they came to have color. 

Image courtesy of bankerssilvermoon, Flickr

Appaloosa spots are controlled by the Leopard complex, or Lp gene.  This gene produces different visual characteristics depending on the number and type of gene copies a horse has, ranging from striped hooves to full leopard spots.  The Leopard complex is complicated and well beyond the scope of this article, but further information can be found through The Appaloosa Project, a genetic study being undertaken to uncover the mysteries of the many Appaloosa coat patterns.  The important thing to remember is that not all horses with the Lp gene are loudly colored – sometimes they are solid with some mottling, sometimes they are a Varnish roan (easily confused with a true roan, which is allowable in the AQHA registry).  Varnish roans tend to continue roaning over time, often until they are nearly white.  It is entirely feasible that these subtly marked horses were registered as Quarter Horses as youngsters and went on to contribute their Lp gene to the gene pool, only to have it emerge generations later in a situation like Reminic’s.  In fact, many of these horses can be traced back to the breeding program of Coke Roberds, a Quarter Horse breeder who had a number of roan horses.  This article on Wapiti gives a thorough background on the breeding program of Coke Roberds.

Now that DNA testing and parentage verification are so readily available, horses like Reminic are able to register as fully papered Quarter Horses.  This discovery does inject a great deal of spark into the already hot topic of acceptable Appaloosa characteristics and registration.  It is also interesting to note that the ApHC has headed off any potential competition from colored QH stallions by disallowing breedings to any QH stallion exhibiting excessive white or undesireable QH traits (ApHC Handbook, Rule 204.B.2.a.1).  Hmmmmm…. kind of interesting, considering that those spots originated from some of our foundation stock years and years ago. 

Image courtesy of bankerssilvermoon, Flickr

written by Michelle DiPiazza

“From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”  These words, spoken by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce people, marked the end of the 1877 Nez Perce war and the demise of the carefully bred spotted horses the Nez Perces rode.  After Chief Joseph’s surrender, those hardy horses were seized by the U.S. Calvary and either traded or shot.

The Nez Perce were one of the first groups to practice selective horse breeding.  They carefully chose the stock that would reproduce and either traded or gelded inferior animals.  Eventually, they developed a horse that was known for its hardiness, versatility, agility, and striking beauty.  After the war, the confiscated horses were carelessly interbred with horses of varying quality, and the spotted “Palouse” horse was almost lost.  In 1938, the Appaloosa Horse Club was formed and has since organized the redevelopment of the breed. 

The modern Appaloosa has been outcrossed over recent generations to enhance various attributes of the breed.  Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, in particular, have contributed to the current style of Appaloosas used in competition.  While the outcrosses have increased the average size and refinement of the horse, they have resulted in fewer horses with the color patterns so closely associated with the breed.  Changes to registration requirements in recent years have encouraged more frequent Appaloosa to Appaloosa breeding, and the obvious Appaloosa characteristics have become more apparent at horse shows once again.

  What are the typical Appaloosa characteristics?  Well, the most obvious is the colorful coat patterns that many Appaloosas sport.  A wide range of base colors is acceptable, from white to grulla to black and everything in between.  Coat patterns vary from roan (white hairs interspersed throughout the coat) to the classic blanket pattern or the easily recognizable leopard.  Appaloosas also have less obvious characteristics.  Mottled skin around the muzzle and genitals, white sclera around the eyes, and striped hooves are often found on Apps of any coloration.  Many people aren’t aware that solid colored Appaloosas can also be registered and shown.

Throughout the history of the breed, Apps have retained their versatility and are widely used for a variety of careers.  They excel in the show ring, performing in events such as hunter under saddle, barrel racing, jumping, western pleasure, and cutting.  Appaloosas consistently hold their own in all-breed pleasure shows such as Just for Pleasure, the Reichert Celebration, and the Tom Powers futurities.  Several Appaloosas have successfully competed in high level dressage and horse racing.  They are known as being sure-footed trail mounts and sensible parade horses and are gentle enough for family horses.

The Appaloosa Horse Club and Appaloosa owners in general have a certain degree of pride for their horses’ colorful past.  Every year, riders and their Appaloosas retrace a section of the path that Chief Joseph and his people followed on their attempt to reach Canada before being captured.  This historic ride holds a powerful spot in the hearts of those who complete it.  The history of the Appaloosa is also honored in the show ring with classes such as heritage, which includes native dress and a written historical summary of the pieces worn by horse and rider.  Even the gaming classes give a nod to the ancestors, with the Camas Prairie Stump Race (barrels) and Nez Perce Stake Race (poles) being run horse against horse at breed specific shows.

All in all, the Appaloosa is a fantastic all-around horse.  Their gentle, easy going nature, versatility and hardiness, rich history, and unique appearance make this breed an easy choice for many horse owners.  If you haven’t experienced an App and you “spot” one, check it out!  You won’t be sorry!