Appaloosa Horse Breed

Breed evolution: Spotted horses first arrived in what's now Mexico when the Spanish explorers began their North American treks. Abandoned or left behind, spotted horses soon made their way into New Mexico and Arizona, and spread northward.

The Nez Percé, native people who inhabited areas of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho for nearly 13,000 years, were introduced to the wild and sometimes spotted horses around 1700. It made an enormous impact on the relatively sedentary tribe. The horses increased their mobility, and allowed them to travel great distances for hunting and for trading with other tribes. The Nez Percé became accomplished riders and bred widely admired herds.

Initially called the "Palouse Horse," after a Northwest river and valley by the same name, the breed's name evolved into "Appaloosa." In 1806, explorer Meriwether Lewis recorded in his diary that the Nez Percé had the largest horse herds on the continent and, "Their horses appear to be of an excellent race: lofty, elegantly formed, active and durable...some are pied by large spots of white... and many look like fine English horses."

By 1877, the Nez Percé and the United States Cavalry were embroiled in a war over territory. The Nez Percé, led by Chief Joseph, marked some victories, and the speed, courage, and astonishing athletic ability of their horses became legend.

The tribe was pursued from Oregon through Idaho and finally to the Battle of Bear's Paw in Montana, where Chief Joseph ultimately surrendered just 40 miles from the Canadian border and freedom.

Their horses, so valued by the Nez Percé, were confiscated. Many were destroyed, and some sold under the condition that they would not be bred. Some Nez Percé escaped into Canada with their horses, forbearers of today's thriving Canadian population of Appaloosas.

In 1938, the Appaloosa Horse Club was founded, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the breed. By 1947, when George Hatley became executive secretary, it had 200 registered horses and 100 members. With unflagging enthusiasm, the man who became known as "Mr. Appaloosa" guided the ApHC until his retirement in 1978; that year, registrations topped 300,000.

Today, the ApHC has registered more than 630,000 Appaloosas in the United States and beyond. The association has an active trail-riding program and sponsors several annual rides - including the 1,300-mile Chief Joseph Ride, ridden in 100-mile segments.