Appealing Appaloosas

Appaloosa horses are another "color" breed.  Although Appaloosas are most commonly recognized by their colorful coat patterns, they also have other distinctive characteristics. The four identifiable characteristics are: coat pattern, mottled skin, white sclera, and striped hooves. In order to receive regular registration, a horse must have a recognizable coat pattern or mottled skin and one other characteristic. Horses which receive regular registration are issued numbers (no letters precede the number.) Those not displaying a coat pattern or mottled skin and one other characteristic will be classified as non-characteristic (N/C)) and their registration numbers preceded by the letter "N." Horses which completed the Certified Pedigree Option (CPO) program were issued numbers preceded by the letters "CN."  For more information see:  https://www.appaloosa.com/registration/indentify.htm
   A spotted breed, bred by the Nez Perce Indians along the Palouse River near what is now the Idaho and Washington state borders, the color breed was originally called "a Palouse horse."  With different peoples and dialects, the term evolved into Appaloosa.