Appaloosa Breed

The Appaloosa is best know for it's spots. In fact spotted horses are now generally know as ‘Appaloosa’.

Movies and modern history have made us associate the Appaloosa Horse with the American Indians. And most would think this is where they originated.

However, the ancestors of these spotted horses have been recorded in history long before they appeared as Indian ponies. It is claimed spotted horses are the world's oldest identifiable breed.

Prehistoric cave paintings discovered in the French regions of Lascaux, and Peche-Merle, feature spotted horses dating back over 20,000 years. And Scythian artefacts dating back to 1000 BC show engravings of spotted war horses.

Spotted horses also appeared in Egyptian pictures and Greek vases around this time.

They were war horses prized for their courage, tough hooves and endurance.

Appaloosa coloured horses spread throughout Asia, Europe, Russia and England and eventually to America with invading armies, traders and as special gifts to Kings and nobility. Even the English thoroughbred stud books list several stallions descended from spotted horses.

Once introduced to America the Appaloosa horse began what was arguably their most famous period. And what most of us think of today, when thinking about the Appaloosa.

Information source - Australian Appaloosa Association

For some special Appaloosa Horse Gift Ideas take a look here.