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| The Appaloosa is descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Conquistadors' Spanish-bred horses. Some of these horses either escaped or were set loose, and the Nez Perce obtained a number of their descendants. They prized the spotted horses above all, and selectively bred for the spotted patterns and for good conformation and disposition. At that time the Nez Perce lived in the Palouse Valley, and their horses were known as the Palouse Horse, later changing to the Appaloosa Horse. Ranchers and government employees later obtained some of the Nez Perce horses either through purchase, trade, or confiscation. The Appaloosa became known as a high quality breed of horse competitive with some of the world's top horse breeds, and the Nez Perce people had some of the best horsemen in the world. |  |
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After the government defeated Chief Joseph and his Neze Perce tribe during the war, the government killed all of their remaining horses as punishment. Those ranchers and horse breeders who had Appaloosas decided to found the Appaloosa Horse Club to preserve the breed, and today the Appaloosa is one of the most popular breeds of horses in North America. In addition, after having been severed from their horse culture for over 100 years, the Nez Perce were given a gift of horses in the 1990's by private breeders, and are crossing Appaloosa mares with Akhal Teke stallions to create a new breed called the Nez Perce Horse. |
| Check out the links below for more information on the Appaloosa and for farms currently breeding Appaloosas. Clicking on the link will open a new window: | |||||||||||
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| Links to other horse breed pages: |
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