The History of the Appaloosa.

The Appaloosa has one of the longest histories of any horse breed in the world. It is a distinctive breed which now distinguishes itself in every field of endeavour around the world.

Spotted horses can claim to be the oldest identifiable breed. They have been found in prehistoric cave paintings in France, and on ancient sword scabbards found in Austria that date back to 1000BC. They also appear in Greek vases and Egyptian pictures around the same time. Much of the early Oriental and later European art shows many Appaloosa horses used for war and hunting, usually by kings and other nobility.

An ancient Chinese emperor called Wu Ti fought a bitter war to obtain Persian "heavenly horses," a spotted strain of war horse which were famous for their tough hooves and endurance - traits that are still features of the Appaloosa today. The Persians also claim that the greatest warhorse of their legends was a red stallion called "Rakush."  Even the bible mentions "specked" horses - read Zachariah 1:8.

The Appaloosa coloured horse spread throughout Asia, Russia, Europe and England, with armies, traders, and as gifts to kings. Several stallions descended from Appaloosas are listed in the English thoroughbred stud books. Then, the Appaloosa eventually arrived in America.

Spotted horses were common amongst the stock taken by the Spanish Conquistadors when they invaded Mexico and South America. Some of them went to Virginia, where there descendants appear in early Quarter Horse breeding, which accounts for the occasional cropout QH - like foundation sires Joker B, Wapiti and Quadroon.

The Nez Perce Indians valued these horses and the name "Appaloosa" comes from a corruption of the term "Palouse Horse" after a river in Idaho, USA. During the Nez Perce wars, these horses outran the cavalry for three months, over mountainous country for 1300 miles. After finally being forced to surrender, their precious horses were sold and scattered throughout the USA.

It was 1938 before the Appaloosa once again gained recognition.  In this year, the American Appaloosa Horse Club was formed.

The first Appaloosas came to Australia in 1967, and the following year, breeding records began.  1971 saw the formation of the original association in Victoria, then in 1978 the association became incorporated, and the name became the Australian Appaloosa Association Ltd.

It is estimated that there are now around 30,000 Appaloosas in Australia alone.