How to Choose an Appaloosa

While the Appaloosa Horse is known as the "leopard" of horses because of the colorful coat of distinctive patterns and spots that is unique to Appaloosas, they actually come in a variety of coat colors, as well as many characteristics that might make the Appaloosa the right horse for you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Identify the Appaloosa with ease. Its distinctive coat patterns make it stand out in a crowd and make it very popular with its owners. An Appaloosa may also have the appearance of snow over its back, loins or hips.

2. Appreciate that Appaloosas come in every color.

3. Note that some Appaloosas are solid-colored.

4. Look for human-looking eyes that have white surrounding the iris, and vertical striping on hooves in the absence of white leg markings.

5. Being the third largest western horse breed in the world, the Appaloosa is quickly becoming a very popular horse.

6. Use this horse for working on ranches, herding, cutting and roping cattle - the Appaloosa has a very gentle and willing disposition.

7. Enjoy the Appaloosa's abilities in dressage, eventing, jumping and racing, which makes the Appaloosa an all-around horse.

8. Check that your prospective horse is at least 14 hands tall by the age of five, which is a requirement for registration according to the American Appaloosa Association.

Tips & Warnings

• See Related Sites for information on the Appaloosa Club and the American Appaloosa Association, Inc.
• Horses have unique personalities just like people do. It is best to take some time to get to know an individual animal before purchasing it.

on 7/12/2006 An Appaloosa may be registered even if it does not have spots. It must have mottled skin around the eyes, nose, and genitalia, and have the vertical stripes on the hooves. Also, the Appaloosa tends to have thin, sparse manes and tails.

on 11/22/2005 appaloosa's have great personalities. my mom has one and we just got rid of one because he was getting old. i would recomend buying an Appaloosa for a first horse because of their sweet personalities.

on 11/22/2005 Remember that Appaloosa is a color breed. If a horse is a gelding or a spayed mare, s/he may be registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club, even if you don't know the parents of the horse. This is called a hardship registration. Usually it goes on sale once a year. It's a great bargain because it increases the value of your horse, protects him, and makes him eligible to show in breed shows.

on 11/22/2005 When looking at an Appaloosa for possible purchase, look for registered ones so you can check their lineage and make sure of its age.