Description:
    The Appaloosa horse, although often recognized for its colorful coat patterns is a breed of horse, and not a color. In fact, not all Appaloosas have a colorful coat pattern but can come in solid colors as well. Coat pattern or not, there is much more to the Appaloosa than its color.

    Appaloosas are very versatile having great endurance and excellent dispositions. Although they can be stubborn, most Appaloosas are extremely intelligent and willing.

    Some physical characteristics that are shared by most Appaloosas include mottled skin, vertically striped hooves, a white sclera which encircles the iris, and a short mane and tail. Most appaloosas also have strong sturdy legs and hooves, and are generally very sure-footed. (Ultimate Horse Site.Com)

    Appaloosas which are born with visible coat pattern, or mottled skin and at least one other characteristic, are registered with "regular" papers and have full show and breeding privileges. A horse that meets ApHC bloodline requirements but is born without the recognized color pattern/characteristics can still be registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club because registry is based upon the pedigree of the horse reflecting a recognized Appaloosa bloodline. These solid colored, "non-characteristic" Appaloosas are registered with an "N" prefix on their registration papers, indicating the horse does not show the preferred Appaloosa color or characterstics. N-registered Appaloosas may not be shown at ApHC events unless the owner DNA parentage-verifies the N-registered horse and pays an extra fee to enter the horse into the ApHC's Performance Permit Program (PPP). PPP horses can be shown in ApHC approved events; however, all solid non-characteristic Appaloosas do have breeding restrictions and can only be bred to a regular (#) papered Appaloosa. A (N) registered horse can be upgraded to regular registration at any time if the horse begins to show a color pattern and/or required Appaloosa characteristics.

Recognized spotting patterns of Appaloosas include the following:

• BLANKET - White over the hip that may extend from the tail to the base of the neck. The spots inside the blanket (if present) are the same color as the horse's base coat.
• LEOPARD - A horse whose Appaloosa white patterning is exhibited to an extreme with base colored spots of various sizes covering most of its body.
• FEW SPOT LEOPARD - This is a horse whose base color is nearly obscured by its Appaloosa white patterning covering up to 90% of its body. Horse may exhibit patches of color on the heads, knees, elbows, flanks (called "varnish marks"). Some may have as few as only one or two spots.
• SNOWFLAKE - A horses with white spots, flecks, on a dark body. Typically the white spots increase in number and size as the horse ages.
• VARNISH - Dark points (legs and head) and some spots or roaning over a light body. May occur in conjunction with another spotting style and change with age. Often starts out as a solid colored horse that gets more white as it ages, but is not a gray
• FROST - similar to varnish but the white hairs are limited to the back, loins, and neck. May occur in conjunction with another spotting style and change with age. Often starts out as a solid colored horse that gets more white as it ages. (The Stallion Place.Com) 
  

History:
    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.

    Humans have recognized and appreciated spotted horses throughout history. Ancient cave drawings dating as far back as 20,000 years ago in what is now France depict spotted horses, as do later detailed images in Asian and Chinese art.

    The Spanish introduced horses to North America as they explored the Americas. Eventually, as these horses found their way into the lives of Indians and were traded with other tribes, their use spread until most of the Native American populations in the Northwest were mounted by about 1730.

    The Nez Perce and Palouse tribes 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 tribes to breed selectively for specific traits - such as intelligence, speed and endurance - keeping the best and trading or gelding those that were less desirable.

    When white settlers came to this Northwest region, it is believed that they called the spotted horses they saw by the Palouse River or owned by the Palouse tribe "Palouse horses" or "a Palouse horse." Over time the name was shortened and slurred to "a Palousey" and then "Appaloosey."

    During the Nez Perce War of 1877, Appaloosa horses were among those that helped the non-treaty Nez Perce elude the U.S. Cavalry for several months. The Nez Perce fled over 1,300 miles of rugged, punishing terrain under the guidance of Chief Joseph and other Nez Perce leaders. When they surrendered in Montana, their surviving horses were given to soldiers, left behind or dispersed to settlers. Nothing was done to preserve the Appaloosa breed until 1938, when a group of dedicated horsemen formed the Appaloosa Horse Club, the international breed registry, for the preservation and improvement of the spotted horse, whose numbers were diminishing. The name of the horse officially became Appaloosa. (Wyoming Appaloosa Ranch.Com)