Special Sub-Topic: The Versatile Appaloosa Click Here To Play: The Versatile Appaloosa

The Appaloosa is the only spotted horse breed.

f. There are several different spotted breeds, including the Pony of America and Knapstrub. The Pony of the Americas is a usually a cross between the Appaloosa and the Shetland Pony, although other breeds are involved.

The Appaloosa is associated with a tribe of Native Americans. What tribe is that?

Nez Perce. It's not known whether the Nez Perce developed the spotted breed, or if the Spanish Conquistadors or Russian traders brought the horse to America. What is known, though, is that the Nez Perce developed the breed to perfection.

There are three things that an Appaloosa has that identifies is as an Appaloosa. One is mottled skin, the other is having a white sclera (the white ring around the iris of the eye). What is the third?

Striped Hooves. Those three markers are signs of the horse being an Appaloosa. If the Appaloosa is solid colored, ie no spots, then it must have mottled skin and one of the other identifiers to be registered.

The name Appaloosa came from the phrase "A Palouse Horse."

True. According to the Appaloosa Horse Club, "The Palouse region of the Northwest is an appropriate home for the organization; the Appaloosa’s historic background is linked to the region, and the word “Appaloosa” evolved from the words “A Palouse Horse”."

Does an Appaloosa always have a sparse mane and tail?

No. While some Appaloosa's have sparse manes and tails, there are many Appaloosa's have full mane and tails. When cross-bred to breeds that usually have thick mane and tails, such as types of Arabians, or Quarter Horses, the foal may have the thicker mane and tail.

You can tell a horse is an Appaloosa just by looking at it.

f. While the Appaloosa usually has spots in some form, there is such thing as a solid-colored Appaloosa. For a solid colored horse to be registered as an Appaloosa, there must be DNA proof that one or both parents are Appaloosas.

The Appaloosa's spots are only fur deep. The skin is solid colored.

False. Like the Dalmatian and tiger, the Appaloosa's spots extend into the skin. The skin of an Appaloosa is mottled, black and pink. You can tell this by looking at the skin around the muzzle and eyes.

An Appaloosa is strictly used for Western riding.

f. While it's not usual, the Appaloosa can make a wonderful English horse. When cross-bred to a breed like the Thoroughbred, the foal can be a powerful jumper.

A gray horse cannot be an Appaloosa.

False. The Appaloosa Horse Club recognizes thirteen different base colors, including three types of roans, chestnut and gray.

The Spotted Saddle Horse is a type of Appaloosa.

f. The Spotted Saddle Horse is not a spotted horse at all-it's actually a type of pinto horse. They recognize paint colors, including overo, tobiano and sabino. I hope you've enjoyed my quiz on the Appaloosa. http://www.appaloosa.com/Association/homepalouse.shtm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appaloosa http://www.kyhorsepark.com/imh/bw/appa.html http://www.appaloosamuseum.org/cms/default.asp?contentID=521 http://www.sshbea.org/About%20the%20Breed/Color%20Patterns.htm