Do you know that there is currently a breed of horse that formerly shared territory and in many cases worked side by side with the Native Americans of the Nez Perce tribe? Yes, we are talking about the appaloosa horse, an imposing and wonderful equine that comes from the current territories of Oregon and Washington. Its name, of Indian origin, comes from the Palousse River, in which it was very common to see these horses drinking from the water of said river. Do you want to know the characteristics, character and he alth of the appaloosa horse? Then keep reading this tab on our site!
Origin of the appaloosa horse
Appaloosa horses or spotted or freckled horses, due to the spots present on their colorful coats. These horses are considered a truly ancient breed, spread over practically the entire world However, they were the Native Americansof the Nez Perce tribe who named it appaloosa in honor of the Palousse River. It was also this tribe that saw in these horses the ideal companion to help them in tasks as diverse as hunting or war, domesticating them and selecting the most suitable specimens for these tasks for more than 200 years.
It is considered that the Appaloosa may have as precursors the Spanish horses that the colonizers brought with them when they arrived in America, back in the 16th century, being the first Appaloosa Spanish horses with a dappled coat. The breed evolved, but the one we know today is the result of the work of the Appaloosa Horse Club, founded in 1938. It was created to save the breed from extinction, they managed to recover the breed by carrying out an intensive breeding program. Thanks to their efforts, appaloosa horses continue to exist today.
Appaloosa Horse Characteristics
Appaloosa horses are horses of medium size, with a muscular body and rounded rumpThe legs are light, thin and have marked bones, but they are really strong and resistant. Many specimens have striped hooves, with light vertically oriented stripes. These horses have a really thick, long mane and tail.
As for the Appaloosa's coat, which distinguishes them from other equine breeds, there are six different layers:
Fawn: with oval spots and white or light background
Snowflake: with white spots on a dark base, the back spotted with dark spots and light-colored back and dark mane
“A drip”: with a white base and dark spots scattered all over its body
Marbled: with the back of the body light with dark spots and the front part with light spots on a dark base.
It seems that there is sexual dimorphism in terms of the color and intensity of the tones of the coat, being more striking and lively in males than in females. However, it is not the coat itself that makes the breed truly unique, its distinctive is its skin. This skin is mottled, being a mixture of light and dark spots, as if it had freckles. These freckles are different from the spots that other races have, since in those others they are patches of unpigmented skin.
Appaloosa Horse Character
Appaloosa are agile and active horses, they are considered the fastest breedof all equine breeds in the world. And it is not something that they dislike, because they are always jogging from one place to another, which is why they have traditionally been participants in speed tests and different types of horse races.
They have a very good nature, being quite easy to deal with and relatively simple to tame. They are also extremely intelligent and loyal, which is why they have become one of the most popular breeds in the world.
appaloosa horse care
As for their care, the main thing is that they be provided with quality fresh food and that they always have large amounts of clean, fresh water, as water is essential to their survival.
Other care will be necessary, such as those referring to the maintenance of his coat, performing brushing and daily baths of it. You also have to watch your teeth, being aware of possible oral alterations that can affect your habits and well-being.
Appaloosa Horse He alth
Appaloosa are really strong and resistant animals due to their wild origins, as this has endowed them with privileged genetics that makes that they really get sick a little.
Despite these good genetics, Appaloosa are not immune to viral and bacterial diseases, although they are more resistant to them than other races. That is why we must not let our guard down and we must keep our horse under veterinary supervision, carrying out regular check-ups and tests, giving them their vaccinations and avoiding potential outbreaks of contagion from the environment in which they live.
If we are attentive and take care of our appaloosa, we will ensure that we can enjoy the company of a he althy and happy horse for many many years.
