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MEIKLE OBNEY APPALOOSA STUD
Breeding quality Appaloosa riding and sports horses
BREED INFORMATION
The earliest recorded evidence of spotted horses can be found in cave paintings at Lascaux and Peche-Merle in France. These date back to Prehistoric times of approximately 18,000 BC. When looking into the history of the Appaloosa breed it comes to light that historians are not totally sure of the origin of the breed. Spotted horses are found in the histories and culture of many countries. In America the name was associated with the Nez Perce Indian tribe. They developed a strict breeding programme to encourage certain traits such as temperament, endurance, distinctive looks and intelligence. The name Appaloosa has been used for around 70 years. As late as the 1930’s an Appaloosa would still be referred to as ‘a Palouse Horse,’ most probably due to the Polouse river that ran through the heart of Nez Perce country. Over time the name evolved into ‘Palousey’, ‘Appalousey and finally ‘Appaloosa’.
There are EIGHT basic coat patterns with unlimited combinations - no two Appaloosas ever have identical markings. Many carry dual patterns such as roan and spots. The basic patterns are:
Base colour pure white with evenly distributed dark spots over the entire body from head to hoof. They are born with these spots and carry them throughout life.
Born with leopard coloured body markings but with different coloured head and legs. As it matures the dark colouring often fades, the horse becoming a full leopard.
Has a basic colour of white with blue or red roan 'varnish marks' and just a few spots.
The base colour is dark with white spots over the body. The snowflake is usually born solid coloured and 'colour out' to this pattern, sometimes becoming roan.
Dark forehand with white over loin and hips, with round or egg shaped spots, many with halos (ie roan rings edging the spots). Spots may vary in diameter from half inch to 4 inches. Blankets may be small patches on the rump, to large ones.
Base colour is usually red or blue roan, at times described as bay, brown or black roan. Marbles usually have 'varnish marks'.
Dark base colour with either frost or white spots on the loin and hips. This pattern can develop with age or they can be born with this colouring.
Dark forehand with a blanket without spots, or nearly void of spots.
PARTI-COLOURED SKIN (Mottled Skin):
This is one of the most tell tale physical characteristics of the breed. This mottling of pink and black skin is always evident on the genital region and may be evident around the soft skin of the lips, muzzle, nostrils or eyes.
Some Appaloosas have a minimum of mottled skin, others may have a lot.
WHITE SCLERA:
This is sometimes called the "human eye" as the white which encircles the eye is like a person's eye. Most other horses have dark sclera.
STRIPED HOOVES:
Vertical stripes of the hoof
THE GREYING GENE:
A foal that is affected is usually born with black stripy or splashy spots, which fade as it matures - and is likely to turn white, although the skin remains patterned. This is not to be confused with horses which roan out or are few spots.
This genetic problem is said to be caused by breeding an Appaloosa to a grey.
FACE & LEG MARKINGS:
Horses with 'misplaced white' such as large belly patches, wide blazes and extra high stockings are not eligible for registration.