Appaloosas - Anita

• The Appaloosas were first bred by Nez Perce Indians, Inland from the northwest of America after they were introduced by the Spanish.
• According to the American Appaloosa Association, their height is usually between 14 to 16 hands high. They have an average weight of 500 Kilograms, which will vary depending on their height and build.
• They have amazing endurance and character which makes them a versatile breed. They can be called stubborn or cheeky by people who don't know them, but it is because they are intelligent enough to have an opinion.
• Being a light breed of horse, Appaloosas can be used for children's riding, in the circus, showing, rodeo, show jumping, pony horses at the track and even trial riding. The list is endless what an Appaloosa can do.
• This versatile breed has common physical characteristics: mottled skin, white sclera, striped hooves, strong sturdy legs, strong hooves and generally very sure footed.
• Appaloosas can change color as they begin to age, usually they are born a solid color. Markings on the head and legs will stay the same and usually help to identify an appaloosa horse.
• Appaloosas have a higher risk than any other breed of horses to develop a health issue called Equine Recurrent Uveitis where there is only a small amount of pigmentation around the eyelids and not a lot of hair in the mane and tail for protection from the sun. Another health issue linked to Appaloosas is if they that are homozygous for the leopard complex gene, they are at risk for congenital stationary Night Blindness. 

 Colors of an Appaloosa
Solid - Some Appaloosas are solid in color and do not have any color coat pattern.
Leopard - Big dark spots cover a whole body over a white coat color.
Marble - Small dark spots like freckles over a light coat color.
Snowflake - Light spots over a dark body.
Blanket- White markings on hips and/or loins of horse with darker spots over the white sometimes occurring.
Frost- Small light freckles over a dark body.