If you asked most people where the Appaloosa Horse originated they would probably say with the American Indians. But the ancestors of these distinctive horses have been recorded in history long before they appeared as Indian ponies, in fact it is claimed spotted horses are the world's oldest identifiable breed .

Prehistoric cave paintings and petroglyphs dating back over 20,000 years were discovered by archaeologists working in the French regions of Lascaux, and Peche-Merle, feature spotted horses, while Scythian artifacts dating back to 1000 BC show sword scabbards engraved with rows of spotted war horses. Spotted horses also appeared in Egyptian pictures and Greek vases around this time.

Over three thousand years ago in the Ferghana Valley of ancient Persia, a new breed of horse evolved. He was tall and swift, and colour adorned his sides. He inspired poets, artists, Kings and Generals.

These horses were not identified as Appaloosas in the "Old World," but were named according to the region where they were bred-- or for their colour. To the Persians and ancient Greeks, they were called "the Sacred Horses of Nisasea." They were called Tien Ma - "Heavenly or Celestial Horses from the Extreme West" by the Chinese. The French named them "Le Tigre." The Old English people called them either "Piebald Chubarry," or "Bloody Buttocks" because of the pattern of dark red spots on their hind quarters. The Austrians identified them as "Pinzgauer."

He was the most valuable horse in the ancient world, and he was regarded as the most beautiful horse alive. Some were spotted like a leopard or as golden as a newly minted coin. Others were red and blue roan with darker colour in the roan.

Alexander of Macedon on his conquest of Asia (329 BC) detoured through Ferghana specifically to secure these war horses prized for their courage, tough hooves and endurance.

Han Wu-Ti the 'Martial Emperor' (156-87 BC) having heard of the "Heavenly Horses" twice sent expeditions to the Ferghana region to obtain breeding animals to improve his cavalry. The two Chinese campaigns to secure the horses had lasted four years, cost many lives but led to the opening of the 'Silk Road' and China building a superior cavalry.

Appaloosa coloured horses spread throughout Asia, Europe, Russia and England and eventually to America with invading armies, traders and as special gifts to Kings and nobility. Even the English thoroughbred stud books list several stallions descended from spotted horses.

In western Europe, the spotted horse appears periodically throughout history. The famous Lippizzaner Horses often exhibited spots during the 16th through the 18th centuries. The same spots still crop up to this day, and the Lippizzaner often displays evidence of mottled skin, one of the Appaloosa's characteristics.

The Spanish Conquistadors took spotted horses when they blazed a trail through Mexico and South America. Quickly the spotted horse spread northward until most of the Indian populations were using horses by around 1700.

Once they were introduced to America the Appaloosa horse began what was arguably their most famous period, as horses prized by the Nez Perce Indians .

The Nez Perce Indians of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho became highly sophisticated horsemen. Unlike most tribes, the Nez Perce carefully selected the spotted horses they were to breed. Only the best horses were allowed to produce offspring. Meriwether Lewis, on his epic expedition across America to the Pacific Ocean, was one of the first white men to visit the Nez Perce. He described the Appaloosa in his journal dated February 15, 1806: "Their horses appear to be of an excellent race. They are lofty, elegantly formed, and durable."

The name Appaloosa is a variation of the Indian name for these horses - "Palouse Horse", named after a river in Idaho, USA.

In 1877, "Chief Joseph" Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt (1840-1904), led several hundred of his people in an attempt to elude the U.S. Cavalry and avoid war by seeking asylum in Canada. For over three months, the band of about 700, fewer than 200 of whom were warriors, fought 2,000 U.S. soldiers and Indian auxiliaries in four major battles and numerous skirmishes.

The tribe mounted on their appaloosa horses out ran the U.S. Cavalry through rough mountainous country for 1400 miles. Finally, on October 5, 1877, in northern Montana, just 40 miles short of refuge in Canada, the band negotiated surrender.

After the Nez Perce surrender, the horses not taken as spoils of war by the U.S. Cavalry were dispersed amongst white settlers or left to wander. The descendents of these horses found their way into the early Quarter Horse bloodlines. Hence, we have spotted 'quarter horses' cropping up from time to time. American foundation sires Joker B, Wapiti and Quadroon are examples of these unexpected crop-outs.

In 1938, a group of stockmen in the north-western United States, concerned that these trim, hardy horses were in danger of becoming a lost breed, formed the Appaloosa Horse Club to preserve the Appaloosa horse. The dream of these far-sighted men is realised. The Appaloosa Horse Club now has affiliate Appaloosa clubs and registries in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and of course, Australia. The Appaloosa is truly an 'International Breed'.

Hearsay talks of spotted horses being in Australia sometime around the 1940's and 1950's however no documentary proof is evident. Among the first registered Appaloosa's to arrive in Australia were the stallions Clover Joker Bull, Clover Cochise and the mare Clover Coconut. These horses left California on the 11 July 1966 and after an epic voyage finally arrived in Australia in 1967.

In 1971, a gathering of sixty-one Appaloosa breeders and enthusiasts attended a meeting in the R.S.L. Hall, Nathalia Victoria. The result of this meeting was the formation of the Appaloosa Association of Australia. The first elected committee members were Mrs. J.E. Cook, Mrs. E.T. Hobson, Mr. J.N. Cook, Mr. L. Carden, Mr. B. Kirby, Mr. S. Hordern, Mr. D. Cross, Mr. C. Howe, Mr. V. Cummins, and Mr. J.V. Hull. By 1974 there were five Regional Clubs in Australia.

The first National Appaloosa Show was held at Shepparton, Victoria on the 27th January 1973. Horses came from four states to compete for prize money and trophies. The 12 classes for Appaloosa horses were judged by Captain Walter Hughes from Aldergrove, B.C. Canada. Since its inaugral show at Shepparton, our National Show has been held in eight cities, Sydney, N.S.W., Nambour, Qld., Maitland, N.S.W., Toowoomba, Qld., Melbourne, Vic., Tamworth and Dubbo, N.S.W. The progam has grown to over 150 Classes, Feature and Futurity events showcasing horses from all states competing in Dressage, traditional hacking and western events.

References:
Arlandson, Lee. Know the appaloosa horse . RCL Publishing Co., 1972.
Cook, Helen. The National show reference book, 1973-1991 . Tynong North : Ropet Printing, 1992.
Davis, Beverly Burris. They hunted tigers : a history of the Nisean Warhorse and its descendents .
http://www.horseoftheamericas.com/TheyHuntedTigers.htm /
Northey, T. and Crosby, J. The Early years of the Appaloosa in Australia .