Horse Girl Facts: Appaloosa

Hello fellow horse girls! 

I wanted to write about one of my favorite breeds of horses since I was a child and the breed that inspired this line of glass ware. This will be a series showcasing different breeds of horses from around the world that I have created in glass. Future posts will include how the glass fabrication process works.

Appaloosas are an American grown breed most know for their beautiful spotted coats. They were most notably seen in Western disciplines however, as years progress more are proving to be accomplished English horses. 

As the name Appaloosa suggests, they were raised by the Nez Perce (Niimíípu) Tribe that occupies the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and was named official state horse of Idaho in 1975. 

Appaloosas have a wide range of body types as their line is influenced by many breeds brought over to the Americas from Europe as early as 1519 via the Spanish Conquistadors, Hernán Cortés. Another example of an American horse breed that developed from Spanish horses are the ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, Virginia. 

Appaloosas are strong work horses that are utilized in day to day activities and in competitions. It is believed that the breed has influences from Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and American Quarter Horses. These breeds have a combination of characteristics such as body type variance, color, and performance that are unique to Appaloosas. 

There are many different colors of Appaloosas that specify the coat colors into more specific categories. It is a very diverse breed that showcases many colors and spots making each horse unique. Refer to the chart below that I resourced from the Appaloosa Museum and their extensive dedication to providing information about the breed and maintaining a heritage of horses.