The Appaloosa is descended from spotted Spanish horses, which arrived in America in the 16th century.

When some of them escaped, the Nez Perce Indians were quick to capture, tame them, and start breeding these wonderful horses.

During the 1700's the Nez Perce Indians in Northeast Oregon and Idaho developed the horse into the familiar breed of today. The breed was almost wiped out in 1877 when the Indians were defeated during a territory war with the US Army and placed on reservations. Luckily for us, some of the horses survived, and once settled on the reservation, the Nez Perce began a heavy breeding program to ensure the survival of the Appaloosa.

Of course, some of the horse-escaped captures by the Indians and some broke free during the Army-Indian war. These horses helped to introduce the Appaloosa into the wild herds of today.