The Appaloosa Horse

The Appaloosa horse is the most unusual horse in the whole world. Its whole body is covered in spots which can vary in colours from white with black, brown or gray spots, to black, brown or gray with white spots!

This sort of coloration is called leopard spotted. There are other Appys - as is their nickname - with totally black, gray or brown bodies except for their hind quarters where they can have a huge white patch with black, gray or brown spots on it. These are called spotted blankets.

Some Appaloosa horses have no spots at all! The Appaloosa was first bred by the Nez Perce Indians in North America. Appaloosas can only be bred to other Appaloosas, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses or Arabians.

They are a sturdy breed and stand from 14.2 to 15.2 hands. Appaloosas are known for their endurance and stamina. They often compete against Arabians and come out as the victors. It is not classified as a "breed" of horse, but as a "type" due to its unusual coats, which is one of the things people look for in a breed before they call it a type.