Appaloosa Horse Breed Profile

Size
The Appaloosa horse typically stands between 14 2 hands 56 8 inches and 16 hands 64 inches though some can be a bit larger. Their average weight ranges from 950 to 1200 pounds. 
Appaloosa Breeding and Uses
The Nez Perce people bred Appaloosas for transport hunting and battle. The modern Appaloosa is still an extremely versatile horse. The breeds uses include pleasure and longdistance trail riding working cattle and rodeo events racing and many other Western and English riding sports.
The breed also is frequently seen in film and on television where its distinctive markings can steal a scene. They are seen in the 1966 film El Dorado that stars John Wayne and the 2010 film True Grit. This is a friendly gentle horse whose loyalty makes them an especially rewarding and enjoyable companion.
Colors and Markings
The base color of the Appaloosa can be red roan blue roan bay roan gray palomino chestnut cremelloperlino grulla dun buckskin black brown dark bay or bay. Facial colors and patterns include bald blaze snip stripe and star. On the legs you might find eel pastern ankle halfpastern coronet stocking halfstocking and lightning marks. 
The Appaloosas skin is mottled with white and dark patches of pigmentation that give the appearance of splotches. These markings occur across the body in a few distinct patterns depending on the horses genetic makeup.
The registry recognizes several coat patterns including
Blanket The haunches are all white or they are white and speckled with dark spots.
Leopard The body is mainly white with dark spots.
Snowflake The body is dark with white