Appaloosa Myths
and Facts
(as we see them)
Myth: If I breed to an Appaloosa
stallion with color, I have a good chance of getting
a colored foal.
Fact: Extensive crossbreeding
of Appaloosas to other, solid breeds of horses has reduced
the strength of the Appaloosa color gene. Although a
stallion with extensive crossbreeding might be colored,
he may not be able to produce color consistently. The
less percentage of Appaloosa blood in the pedigree,
the less likelihood you have of getting a colored foal.
Myth: Appaloosa is a color.
If a horse has spots, it's "all Appaloosa."
Fact: Appaloosas are a breed
known for a variety of characteristics - soundness,
stamina, versatility, good minds and great dispositions.
Extensive crossbreeding to other breeds dilutes these
characteristics as well as the horse's ability to produce
color.
Myth: About the only reason
to breed to a "Foundation-bred" Appaloosa is for color.
If I want to breed performance horses, I have to crossbreed
to get the natural ability and movement I need.
Fact: True, the leopard
coat pattern often present in "old-line" Appaloosas
is the strongest manifestation of the Appaloosa color
gene. True, leopards are the strongest color producers.
But a growing number of breeders are recognizing that-beyond
being one-of-a-kind treasures in their own right, with
a history of over 3,000 years-many
bloodlines of "old-line" Appaloosas possess exceptional
movement and performance ability. Without extensive
Quarter Horse crossbreeding, many of these bloodlines
produce long-muscled, elegant horses.
Myth: Foundation-bred Appaloosas
are ugly, stocky little things with rat tails and jug
heads.
Fact: Sunspot's
Eclipse and
the other Foundation-bred horses in our breeding
program
at Silvermoon Appaloosas. |
