Breed History:
The Arabian-Appaloosa cross is one of the undiscovered treasures of the Equine world. Intertwined in early history, yet later developed by breeders far-seperated by distance and time, these two breeds share many common traits; both the Arab and the Appaloosa were bred for great stamina, both were culled by harsh natural environments and had to be hardy, thrifty, and sound to survive, both were the way and means for survival of proud, hunting and warring nomadic Peoples, and both breeds are well known for the bond they formed with their masters.
Early Oriental and Asian artwork depicts refined horses of many colors and patterns, including those now associated with the Appaloosa. Spotted blankets, leopards and roans were known and depicted in China, Egypt, Turkey, the countries of Central Asia, Persia, and everywhere else fine light horses were used and valued. However as various breeds evolved from local populations, most were limited to solid colored individuals, with colorful examples bred away from.
When the founders of the Appaloosa Horse Club in the USA undertook the monumental task of restoring the Appaloosa to the pinnacle of perfection attained by the Nez Perce Nations (Neemeepoo) , thery turned directly to the source of refinement of all light breeds; the purebred Arabian. Many of the Foundation Appaloosa horses used to build the Appaloosa breed were 1/2 or more documented Arabian blood, and many more carried significant Arabian influence through their Thoroughbred, Morgan, and other ancestors.
Popular opinion of what an Appaloosa should be has evolved along different paths, but even though there are other influences seen in the conformation and traits in Appaloosas today, the connection between Appaloosa and Arabian remains. There are breeders continuing to use the Arabian influence to complement and in some cases enhance the Appaloosa type, and the results are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful animals ever created. The AraAppaloosa has a rightful place in the development, history, and future of the Appaloosa. The selective propogation of this blend follows the model constructed by ApHC founders, and the almost magical "nick" between the Arabian and the Appaloosa should never be discounted or forgotten.
There are also those interested in taking the Araloosa further by creating a horse with Appaloosa coloring and the most Arabian type possible; this might be considered extreme by some; to others, it is a return to the ultimate spotted horse.
Early Oriental and Asian artwork depicts refined horses of many colors and patterns, including those now associated with the Appaloosa. Spotted blankets, leopards and roans were known and depicted in China, Egypt, Turkey, the countries of Central Asia, Persia, and everywhere else fine light horses were used and valued. However as various breeds evolved from local populations, most were limited to solid colored individuals, with colorful examples bred away from.
When the founders of the Appaloosa Horse Club in the USA undertook the monumental task of restoring the Appaloosa to the pinnacle of perfection attained by the Nez Perce Nations (Neemeepoo) , thery turned directly to the source of refinement of all light breeds; the purebred Arabian. Many of the Foundation Appaloosa horses used to build the Appaloosa breed were 1/2 or more documented Arabian blood, and many more carried significant Arabian influence through their Thoroughbred, Morgan, and other ancestors.
Popular opinion of what an Appaloosa should be has evolved along different paths, but even though there are other influences seen in the conformation and traits in Appaloosas today, the connection between Appaloosa and Arabian remains. There are breeders continuing to use the Arabian influence to complement and in some cases enhance the Appaloosa type, and the results are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful animals ever created. The AraAppaloosa has a rightful place in the development, history, and future of the Appaloosa. The selective propogation of this blend follows the model constructed by ApHC founders, and the almost magical "nick" between the Arabian and the Appaloosa should never be discounted or forgotten.
There are also those interested in taking the Araloosa further by creating a horse with Appaloosa coloring and the most Arabian type possible; this might be considered extreme by some; to others, it is a return to the ultimate spotted horse.
About the Araloosa Horse Breed:
The Ara Appaloosa is a cross between the two oldest horse breeds in the world- Arabian horse and Appaloosa. They are considered to have similar ancestry, thus many characteristics are common for both breeds. Refined physical characteristics of Arabian and leopard spotted coat pattern of the Appaloosa makes this breed beautiful to look and a real pleasure to ride them. They are talented, intelligent and known for their endurance, which actually are mutual characteristics for both Arabian and Appaloosa. Beside Ara Appaloosa, other names that are used for this breed are: Araloosa and AraAppaloosa.
Anyway this is not a new type of horse, though the Register is quite new, dating from 1995 as an off shoot of the Appaloosa Horse Club (1938). The Ara Appaloosa and Foundation Breeder’s International (AAFBI) intend to keep alive the true values of the breed and re establish the best examples of the breed that Nez Perce people developed during 18th and 19th centuries. M. Lewis is the first white man that saw the modern Appaloosa horse by visiting the Nez Perce tribe in 1806. This horseman and explorer describe them as lofty, elegantly formed, active and durable horses. So as Claude Thompson (the founder of the Appaloosa Horse club) talks about his first impressions when he saw the first Appaloosa. He knew that only by crossing those with Arab blood, because of their similar ancient origins, can develop a true Appaloosa.
Ara Appaloosa is a quality, elegant, refined, athletic and colorful horse that has ability to go as far as possible. They influence on Arabian and Appaloosa breed and some claim that spotted horses are the oldest horse type in the world. Many painting of these horse patterns in caves and other artifacts, confirms this. Ara Appaloosa posses many characteristics of these two horse breeds and can be easily recognized by its distinct feature, the color of its coat and coloration patterns, but with general conformation of the Arab as refined head, high carried tail, stamina and overall elegance. Average height is 14-15 hands and weight between 800 and 1000 pounds, but still can be found in various sizes depending on its background.
From the above we can conclude that Ara Appaloosa is more refined build, athletic and lighter than modern Appaloosa. Compared with the Arabian breed if one of Ara Appaloosa’s parents is purebred Arabian, the horse can be registered as half Arabian in the Arabian Horse Association. So, one horse can be triple registered: as Appaloosa, half Arabian and Ara Appaloosa.
Because of the great Arabian quality and wonderful coat colors, Ara Appaloosa are increasing in many sport horse competitions as in endurance racing, 3 day eventing, horse show disciplines and dressage. They are good at ranch work and remarkable pleasure horses.
Anyway this is not a new type of horse, though the Register is quite new, dating from 1995 as an off shoot of the Appaloosa Horse Club (1938). The Ara Appaloosa and Foundation Breeder’s International (AAFBI) intend to keep alive the true values of the breed and re establish the best examples of the breed that Nez Perce people developed during 18th and 19th centuries. M. Lewis is the first white man that saw the modern Appaloosa horse by visiting the Nez Perce tribe in 1806. This horseman and explorer describe them as lofty, elegantly formed, active and durable horses. So as Claude Thompson (the founder of the Appaloosa Horse club) talks about his first impressions when he saw the first Appaloosa. He knew that only by crossing those with Arab blood, because of their similar ancient origins, can develop a true Appaloosa.
Ara Appaloosa is a quality, elegant, refined, athletic and colorful horse that has ability to go as far as possible. They influence on Arabian and Appaloosa breed and some claim that spotted horses are the oldest horse type in the world. Many painting of these horse patterns in caves and other artifacts, confirms this. Ara Appaloosa posses many characteristics of these two horse breeds and can be easily recognized by its distinct feature, the color of its coat and coloration patterns, but with general conformation of the Arab as refined head, high carried tail, stamina and overall elegance. Average height is 14-15 hands and weight between 800 and 1000 pounds, but still can be found in various sizes depending on its background.
From the above we can conclude that Ara Appaloosa is more refined build, athletic and lighter than modern Appaloosa. Compared with the Arabian breed if one of Ara Appaloosa’s parents is purebred Arabian, the horse can be registered as half Arabian in the Arabian Horse Association. So, one horse can be triple registered: as Appaloosa, half Arabian and Ara Appaloosa.
Because of the great Arabian quality and wonderful coat colors, Ara Appaloosa are increasing in many sport horse competitions as in endurance racing, 3 day eventing, horse show disciplines and dressage. They are good at ranch work and remarkable pleasure horses.