October 9, 2008
The Appaloosa’s Heritage is As Colorful and Unique As Its Coat
The name “Appaloosa” came from the settlers in the Pacific Northwest Palouse region in the 1700’s. They began calling the spotted horses “palouse horses”, possibly after the Palouse River, which ran through the heart of Nez Perce country, or possibly after the Palus Indian tribe which was also in the area. The name was then shorted and slurred to “appalousey” and gradually the “Appaloosa” name evolved. Breeders and owners have further shortened the name to “Appy”.
