2018_App

APPALOOSAS
Appaloosas were bred by the Nez Perce Indians in Idaho. The breed nearly died out until one man made dedicated efforts to revive it; his name was Claude Thompson. After leasing the Appaloosa stallion Old Painter, and breeding his mares, Mr. Thompson decided he needed to add refinement, so he brought in the blood of an Arabian, Ferras. From this mixture came Red Eagle. Mr. Thompson became one of the founders of the Appaloosa Horse Club, and Red Eagle became a foundation Appaloosa, and a noted sire. The Appaloosa breed has distinctive characteristics beside spots: white "sclera" encircling the eye, striped hooves, even on dark legs, mottled skin around the muzzle and other relatively hairless areas and often, a "rat" tail, skimpy on hair and length. Patterns include leopard, spotted blanket, clear blanket, snowflake, frosted and marbled. Draft and Pony blood is not accepted for registration, and pinto patterns of any sort are a disqualification. Appaloosas do not always have spots, though they often have the other characteristics. In today's show ring, most Appaloosas are
very high percentage Quarter Horse and/or Thoroughbred blood.
However, Arabian horses are still an outcross accepted by the ApHC.
The new rules (2003) allow only colored Appaloosas from the breeding of a registered App to an outcross breed to be registered. Also, as of 2004, the designation of "Foundation bred Appaloosa" has increased the required percentage of Appaloosa blood to 70+% from 50%. This amounts to three of the four grandparents of foal being registered Appaloosas. For regular registration, horses must have either an appaloosa coat pattern or mottled skin, and at least one of the other main characteristics: white sclera or striped hooves.
I have concentrated on the blood of the founding Appaloosas, incorporating Money Creek Rockledge (Siri Sheik), Navajo Breeze & Silver Strikes Equal (Mansfield Comanche), Red Eagle's Peacock (Red Eagle), Joker B, Mighty Bright (Bright Eyes Brother), Colida, Prince Plaudit (Red Plaudit), Wapiti, Chief of Fourmile and Ding Bob II. You'll also see some outcrosses. Also, a few of these horses have noted model lines, almost all of which trace to live horses if you take the pedigrees out far enough. Naming rules: Limit of 20 characters~ No numbers, punctuation marks or similarly spelled names~ No naming after famous/notorious people or famous horses~ No vulgar or suggestive names. I'm always pleased when the sire and or dam's name is reflected in the progeny's name.