Native and Distinct.
With its distinctive color, this breed is one of the most recognized breeds of all of North America. Renowned for their toughness, stamina, and spirit, appaloosas are greatly prized internationally. The breed traces it origins from the northwestern corner of North America, specifically states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The Spanish conquistadores brought horses who carried the spotted coat gene to America, which spread during their explorations. The Nez Perce developed the breed from there. Unlike the American Indians, the Nez Perce set about to specifically improve their horses by keeping the best stallions and gelding the rest. Color of the Appaloosa was also important, it needed to camouflage the horse. The breed also became renowned for their all-aroundness, great speed, stamina, toughness, and endurance on low rations.