The Appaloosa
is also known as the Appy and is known for its peaceful
disposition. It is a versatile horse and is known to
participate and excel in a wide range of activities
from jumping, roping, reining, endurance and speed racing.
They also make excellent family horses and love pleasure
riding. The most definate characteristic of the Appaloosa
is the striking and distinctive spotted coat. Dark oval
or round spots are seen on their coats on their white
hips and loins. Some may have these spots all over their
bodies. Some may have white spotting on dark backgrounds,
while others may be all white. Each Appaloosa will possess
a unique pattern of of spotting, much like a human's
fingerprint. In addition to their spotted coats, the
skin of the Appaloosa is also mottled with spots. Another
interesting characteristic is their eyes. They are very
much human with a white sclera, the area around the
colored part of the eye. Most other horses possess a
dark or black sclera. One final unique characteristic
is the the marking on the hooves, which is vertically
striped. No other breed has this trait. Their bodies
are always proportional, smooth and symmetrical.
