Appaloosas

~*sugarlump*~ · #1 27th Jan 2006, 05:09 PM

i was going to put this in the breeds and colouring section, but i just wanted a quick answer.

I always thought that appaloosas are a breed, but my friend say there are just a colour type and therefore don't have specific characteristics. are they their own breed or just a colouring?
and also, palomino isn't a breed is it?
and while I'm at it

is there such a breed as a 'hunter' or is that a show group thingymabob

thanks!!!
ash xx

LMS · #2 27th Jan 2006, 05:16 PM

The Appaloosa is a breed.
Here are two links: (hope they work)

Appaloosa Horse Club international breed registry. (go under association & clic on history)
www.appaloosa.com

Appaloosa Horse Home Page
History and Origin of the Breed
www.imh.org/imh/bw/appa.html#breed

chev · #3 27th Jan 2006, 05:24 PM

Moving this to the right forum, where you will also find the answers to your questions and some interesting discussions here, here and here for a start

~*sugarlump*~ · #4 27th Jan 2006, 05:38 PM

oops, sorry didn't know the questions had already been asked

well, i guess that just leaves the hunter question...does anyone know?

Harlequin · #5 27th Jan 2006, 05:38 PM

Appaloosa are a breed! if you would like to know more about them then why not visit spotties.org.uk where there are lots of people to ask!

chev · #6 27th Jan 2006, 05:47 PM

Hunters are a type, not a breed; just like cobs (show cobs that is; Welsh cobs are a breed!

)

Hunters are divided into various types for showing purposes - show hunters are usually prettier and very correct, then there's different builds of hunter (light, medium and heavyweight hunters) and working hunters (who are more performance based so minor defects are sometimes overlooked if they jump well and give a good ride).

Hunters are usually made up of various different breeds (TB types often make good show hunters, especially lightweights, while ID types are often good heavyweights) which are registered with their own breed society. Essentially a hunter is a good strong horse with balanced conformation who has the stamina and ability to spend his career in the field.

horselover1002 · #7 26th Feb 2006, 12:15 AM

appaloosa is a breed. palomino is a coloring. hunter is a way of riding english it is hunt seat.

chev · #8 26th Feb 2006, 08:27 AM

horselover, the Hunter is a type of horse in the UK; see my post above yours. Originally they were horses bred for the hunting field, so had to have good conformation, stamina, be up to weight and be able to jump.

Cochise · #9 26th Feb 2006, 08:39 AM

Appaloosa is definitely a breed, with it's own registry. The major one is the appaloosa.com link up there, but many countries have their own breed registry under those international rules. In my country, the breed registry is ApHANZ ( www.appaloosaassn.co.nz )
The certain characteristics of the breed are a pink and white schlera around the eye, striped hooves, mottled skin around the eyes and muzzle. You can get appaloosas that are not marked with any coat colouring, but of course, personally, I prefer an app with some different markings. Like my guy with his distinctive rib striping!

He's very faded in colour here, he goes light in the summer and darker in the winter.